Fiction Friday | The Lost Story of Via Belle

Today I am reviewing The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson out 14 April 2026

Book Description:

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.

Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigueClean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, or Patti Callahan HenryIncludes discussion questions for book groups

My Review:

Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

This book created many emotions in me there were times I didn’t want to read cos I didn’t want what I knew would happen to happen. But I did keep reading. In fact, I had a bus trip 2.5 both way and read over 50% of the book. I finished that night because I couldn’t stop. Even though at times I didn’t want to read the next part. This is a good book.

The book starts with Olivia who writes under the name Via Belle a romance author set in the 1940’s. Olivia has writers block after the passing of her husband about 18 months prior but needs to write to keep her house. She is living there with her Aunt Hattie. She is invited to a college as part of a panel of authors as a college. As a romance author she is belittled for what she writes although she handles this with dignity. From this trip she meets Simon Farrow a college professor who is also a widower.

We then jump to 2006 where we meet Harper Rayne who is an aspiring screen writer who is working as a housekeeper for a wealthy Producer. She finds herself at a crossroad and goes to Pennsylvania where a good friend of her mother’s lives. Her mother loved Via Belle novels, and this is where she lived. This starts her wanting to learn more about Via Belle and what happened to her.

In 2006 we know there is a mystery surrounding Olivia and the two-story lines eventually come together to what is a great ending. But coming to this conclusion there is a lot of twists and turns. Early on we know what part of the mystery is. It’s not a spoiler to mention Simon as the blurb mentions her second marriage. I had a feeling there was something about him I just didn’t like.

As I mentioned I really did dislike one of the characters even early on something wasn’t right which is why there were times I didn’t want to read the next chapter knowing something could happen, but I did. It was interesting how the two storylines told the story. In the current storyline Harper is reading Via Belle stories and is researching the author and as she is we see more of Olivia’s story.

I have so much I want to say about the story, but I don’t give away spoilers. This book would make an excellent book club read as there is so much do dissect. If you enjoy dual time books I am sure you will enjoy this book and if you like a story with a mystery but haven’t read a dual time line before this would be a good start.