Wind In Her Hair (The Coin of Love Series) by Karin Kallmaker

On a backdrop of book pages, an iPad with the cover of Wind In Her Hair by Karin Kallmaker. In the top right corner of the image, a strip of torn paper with a quote: "Karin Kallmaker nails both the stifling atmosphere of the 1950s and the feeling of possibilities." and a URL: judeinthestars.com.

Every time I read a new book by Karin Kallmaker, I’m in awe of her ability to write so many different characters and stories in the same genre (she wrote a few fantasy stories too as Laura Adams but romance is where she reigns). Sure, romance is romance and there will be a happy ending after the characters overcome the obstacles. It’s the journey that matters, and Kallmaker keeps finding new ways to tell these journeys.

Wind In Her Hair is a great example of Kallmaker’s storytelling skills. Irene Carson is the forty-two-year-old widow of a preacher, whose whole adult life, since she got pregnant at eighteen, has been spent taking care of her husband, her daughter Sissy, and the ministry. Twenty-three-year-old Sissy expects Irene to keep working for the ministry as she takes over for her father. Neither woman wants a status quo, however. Sissy hopes to finally sing professionally and Irene… Irene isn’t sure what she wants but some freedom and time to herself would be a good start. A magic coin and a car fall into her hands and help her change her destiny.

I’ve been meaning to read the Coin of Love series for a while but this is the first book I managed to get to. It can easily be enjoyed as a standalone, and it made me want to go back and read the previous ones. Karin Kallmaker nails both the stifling atmosphere of the 1950s and the feeling of possibilities. Irene is a very strong character, once she realizes she can be.

If you’re hoping for pure romance and a lot of time on page for her and her love interest, you might be disappointed. While there is a very sweet romance arc, the main love story is between Irene and herself, as she finds who she is and can be. It’s empowering and inspiring.

I also like the letters between Irene and the woman she falls for, even though I felt that part was a little rushed. I would have loved a few more letters between them. Another thing I love about this book is that the author provided a playlist of the songs Irene would have listened to. It’s at the end of the book, and the author put as much effort in selecting these songs as in the story and they fit perfectly. And if you’re curious about the fashion of the time and the car Irene drives, I recommend this post on the author’s blog. 4.5⭐️