The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz

I have been anticipating Christine Hill Suntz’s debut novel, The Lawyer and the Laundress, for many months. I got my hands on an early copy, even though my per-ordered paperback will arrive in just a few weeks (this one releases June 10th, 2025 from Tyndale). THIS STORY!!! It did not disappoint, friends. Check out the back cover, followed by my review!

Back Cover

Lawyer James Kinney isn’t looking for love, and laundress Sara O’Connor doesn’t want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival.

Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter, Evie, needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sara O’Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety’s sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sara’s medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter’s life.

When Sara’s presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected solution: become his wife, in name only, and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady.

If Sara can ignore the sparks she feels when they’re together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon, the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sara must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband’s life.

My Review

I was hooked from the start.

Marriage of convenience, mystery, redemption, suspense, child characters that made me laugh out loud, fantastic history, and a love story you can’t help but cheer for … could this book have any more of my favourite things in a novel? So unique and fresh, I had a hard time putting it down.

I loved the Toronto 1837 setting, with widow/widower main characters, an intelligent and daring hero and brave, survival-spirited heroine. I cannot wait for more from Christine Hill Suntz.

Fans of Rachel Scott McDaniel, Sarah Sundin, Elizabeth Camden … you must read The Lawyer and the Laundress!!

Rating wise, I’d say PG-13.

5 stars from me! Order your copy on amazon.ca or amazon.com today!

Thank you to Tyndale and the author for my complimentary copy! All opinions in this review are my own.

About the Author

Christine Hill Suntz knew she wanted to write novels the day she finished Anne of Green Gables, and she’s been lost in her imagination ever since. Her love of language led her to study French and German and pursue a graduate degree in Comparative Literature before finding a home teaching high school French. Her work has won numerous prizes, including the 2022 ACFW Genesis competition.

Christine lives in Ontario on a hobby farm with her family, a flock of chickens, one attack rooster, and a herd of entitled goats. When she’s not writing or teaching, she enjoys trying out historical recipes on her (mostly) willing family.