“Until the Last Note” by B.M. Baker

Blurb

Present Day: Junior college student Greyslin Rogers enjoys a good challenge. But when she takes on an extra credit assignment in theater class, she realizes she may have overestimated her abilities. Encouraged by her best friend, Stanley Pritchard, to give it her best, Greyslin dives into researching the Titanic encounter and writing her script. After coming across an antique diary as an inspiring memento for her project, little does she know the tragedies and beauties the century-old words will uncover. When concerning signs in Stanley’s health cause worries to arise, and as their friendship develops into something deeper, Greyslin finds herself relating with the diary’s writer, whose words shed more light on the present than she ever could have imagined.
Spring of 1912: Newlywed Renita (Davis) Burton’s marriage is off to a bumpy start when her husband, Daniel, accepts an at-sea musician position aboard the RMS Titanic. As she wrestles with the loneliness and unsettled feelings his absence creates, Renita turns to the comfort of a favorite pastime—keeping a diary. Her faith, new friends, and unexpected joys carry her through the long days ahead, but nothing could have prepared her for when she finds out the ship that carries her husband has sunk.
As Renita struggles between hope and grief while she awaits to hear of her husband’s fate and as Greyslin faces the greatest trial of her life, will the lessons unlocked by the diary help Greyslin embrace the same love and courage portrayed in the past to face her own uncertain future with the man she loves?

My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4.5 stars (5/10 hearts). If you know me, you know I am a Titanic buff. I’ve aways been fascinated by it, and I’m always on the lookout for more info or reading material. So when I discovered B.M. Baker was writing a Titanic novel and releasing it on the anniversary of the sinking, I had to read it. 

The plot is split into two parts—2023 and 1912. My favourite part was undeniably the 2023 part. I just didn’t connect with Renita very well… I found her too modern for 1912. I know, I’m a snob. I’m sorry. But I also found her a bit stilted and preachy? Maybe because we were less in her head than in her diary. I liked Daniel, though… although again, at times he was too perfect and wooden for me to really appreciate as a character. But most of all I liked Greyslin and Stanley a lot. They were such a cute friends-to-more couple! Stanley is so sweet and Greyslin is super relatable. And their friends + family are just amazing. 

Without giving any spoilers, I love how the two plot lines paralleled each other and merged finally… (I never expected that final revelation!). I enjoyed getting to see G+S navigate college life and their emotions. Greyslin’s arc was particularly epic—I LOVE the message about fear and trust that she learned. And Stanley’s storyline was unexpected but awesome. ALSO, I love the whole part of the play about the Titanic, and Greyslin’s story for that, and how she found the diary, and alllll that part. It was splendid! 

And that leads me to the Titanic. I really appreciate how B.M. Baker pulled this off. She clearly did her research and had so much respect for the people who perished in this disaster. She handled things very well. That last scene was pretty poignant. And I love the open-ended ending so much. 

So, Titanic fans, definitely check this novel out. And people who aren’t Titanic fans, if you love musicians, school stories, slowburn but super cute moments, illness, deep messages, and anything else I mentioned in this review, you should give this a shot! 

Content: mild mentions of attraction; a couple places where G&S almost kiss; G keeps thinking about kissing S.

A Favourite Quote: “You haven’t abandoned me. Forgive me, Jesus. You’re still here with me. You’re not just walking beside me, You’re carrying me in Your arms right now. Thank You for the reminder.” And just like the hymn writer said, Greyslin had not been promised a life of ease and free of sorrow but one where God would give her what she needed to face whatever came her way.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

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