Book Review: The Fault Between Us

By Sara Steven

April 18, 1906 – A devastating earthquake rocks San Francisco and Templeton Morehouse fears her husband is lost forever. A powerful and compelling story from USA Today bestselling author Bette Lee Crosby

Chances were a million to one that a girl born and raised in Philadelphia would encounter a stranger from California on the trolley and fall madly in love, but that’s what happened. Templeton was not only taken with John Morehouse, but also with his tales of life in San Francisco. As an aspiring fashion designer, the dazzle of a city called the Paris of the West, with its towering department stores and European couture was too much to resist.

Despite her family’s objections, she and John are married and, on their way back to California, before the month is out. To ease the heartbreak of such a move, Templeton promises to return for a visit every summer. She intends to keep that promise, but when her design business grows more demanding, the trips back to Philadelphia become less frequent and she makes foolish choices she will come to regret.

Now, when she is on the verge of having everything she’s ever wanted, a devastating earthquake tears across San Francisco and she discovers the father of her baby is missing. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

You know a historically relevant romance read is pretty incredible when you constantly ask  yourself, “Did this really happen in real life?” I did that a lot while reading The Fault Between Us. Templeton’s story of perseverance in the fashion industry, while also attempting to balance out her career passions and familial passions, felt very familiar and all too true to what I’d imagine life to be like in the early 1900s. And really, it’s something that can still be very relevant to how so many women might feel today. 

She met a stranger on a trolley, and fell in love. This might be acceptable behavior in modern times, but it was frowned upon in Templeton's time. I appreciated the way that Crosby gave us background into Templeton’s psyche, that entrepreneurial, early feminist spirit that would counteract any potential suitor her parents felt were worthy of her. It was fate that brought John into her life, and the strength of their love catapulted her from the familiarity of Philadelphia, to the uncharted territories of San Francisco. I’m not a fashion follower by any means, but I found it really charming to follow along as Templeton braves the shops and big stores, intent on either making or breaking her. I wasn’t sure how she’d be received, or if anything would come from the gigantic change she’s made in her life by moving to the west coast with John. 

I had to look up the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, in order to compare the image Crosby created with the image of what had really occurred on April 18th of that year. I’d have to say that she was spot on. The damage was massive, and there were so many cliffhangers in this book, I wasn’t sure who might make it out alive. That added a nice layer of suspense to my reading pleasure. Really, this book was a pleasurable experience from start to finish, with Templeton the shining star with a lot of grit, in a time when that wasn’t really encouraged. It was a definite five-star adventure!

Thanks to Bette Lee Crosby for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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