I love the characters, especially the mains, Adel and Grace. This is an intense book about a woman in an awful religious cult and a reporter investigating it. It is very well written; with connection that builds quickly and tense situations that grip you and continue to spiral as the book goes on. I couldn’t put it down!
I wish the ending had a bit more closure but it was a very touching finale!
Lots of trigger warnings for this book.

I live in a state where I've had polygamous fundamentalist as my next door neighbors. So for me this book is not a stretch of the imagination. Adel Rosse goes undercover to work at a religious summer camp for young women. She is actually a journalist for Vanity Fair and knows this is a career making opportunity. The camp is a training ground or indoctrination camp for young girls to learn to become wives and mothers. I’m not sure that a fundamentalist group would have a creative writing course but I’ll let that small point go.

At the camp she meets Grace Waters, the program director. She is 26 and so far has avoided being married off. Several people are introduced quickly into the story. Important side characters include a sex crimes detective, a local doctor and a couple of workers at the camp all who happen to be queer. (Which of course is not allowed.) Grace is intrigued by Adel and her outside ways. But she wants to experience some things before being forced into marriage.

The story is long, although I liked the extra time with the characters. In hindsight I could have edited some scenes. Adel could have easily taken Grace to the ocean for a weekend instead of taking her to meet her family she hasn’t seen in three years. And I found it hard to believe how easy it was for Grace to break some rules like dietary restrictions. Overall I enjoyed the story. I like that it wasn’t overly menacing but there was a big bad threat throughout. I also like the dilemma of Adel knowing if she helps the police (Kate), she may not get her story. There is only one line but I appreciate that there is a tie to the author's book McCall.

This book was previously published. I have enjoyed several books from the author as they have been getting new releases and promotion from Bold Strokes Books. I love the updated cover. I will say that this shouldn’t be promoted as romance only. There is investigative work going on and a bit of suspense as well. Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the ebook and I am leaving an honest review.

A good story with well developed characters. This was a hard story to read at times, but it definitely kept my interest throughout. I really liked all the characters in this story, but there's a few that I really didn't like at all. Some of them were funny at times and some were really heartbreaking at others. This was a really good book which I thoroughly enjoyed. A story of true love, trust and friendships during a very difficult and scary time. I would definitely recommend this story to my friends and family, and I look forward to what's next from this author.

An enjoyable read with great characters that are fully developed, likable and relatable. This will keep you on the edge of your seat. I definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

Adel Rosse, an investigative journalist for Vanity Fair in the cutthroat world of Manhattan journalism, has just been handed an assignment that will catapult her career—if she can survive undercover at Valley of Rubies and find out what lies beneath the surface. Just as she starts to uncover the nefarious truth behind the shadowy cult running the organization, she falls in love with the one woman who holds the key to the story...if only she knew the reason Adel was there was to write one.

Grace Waters is an old maid at twenty-six, at least by Covenant standards, and her annual idyllic summers spent as an instructor at Valley of Rubies are rocked by the sudden expectation that she must marry a man she despises at the end of the session. If she refuses, she risks being excommunicated—or worse—but a mysterious new writing instructor at camp makes her brave enough to wonder what would happen if she dared to write her own story.

I love Patricia Evan's books. This was a hard read because of the subject matter, but I felt like it was dealt with in a realistic and respectable manner. That said, I was totally invested in the investigation, and the relationship between Adel and Grace was off the charts. If you aren't triggered by sexual abuse and violence, I would definitely recommend this. Readers, always take care of yourselves! ♥️

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

There are alot of trigger warning that need to be applied to this book. Not to take away from those wanting to read it. Or out people off. Because what is written is done with a lightness and sensitivity in the places it needs it. Whilst covering with tact and bravery the bits that need it. It never feel vulgar or like it's tick boxing subject matters and it feels tale s seriously.
Because to do so it's beautifully balanced with the cast and characters both main and supporting.
Grave and Adels relationship and strengths are still the main story. And this growing pairing is what gives such a different side and adds to all those trigger points.
I would however look up these points. As sexual abuse,cult,child abuse does come into this one's. Which rightly might be too much for some.

Laying of Hands by Patricia Evans is my second read by this author. One thing that stands out is their ability to balance multiple characters, each with important roles and distinct personalities. Evans writes complex, very involved stories, and I appreciate the development of the main pairing, as well as the supporting cast. 
Due to the heavy subject matter, I suggest heeding trigger warnings. Some are religious oppression, cult environment, sexual assault, child sexual assault, rape, implied murder, physical assault, child marriage, indoctrination, suicide, and kidnapping. I'm not sure if I am missing anything. These are the main triggers that I noticed.
Once again, though, Evans does a fantastic job of balancing, particularly with the seriousness of the subject matter, comic relief, sweet sensual love scenes, building meaningful friendships, and the suspense of investigating the nefarious happenings without getting caught. Some of this they accomplish by having it take place off-page and spending equal, if not more, time on developing healthier relationships. 
The intimate scenes between Grace and Adel are beautiful and erotic.
The blurb gives a good description of the plot but leaves out enough that there are still disturbing discoveries to be made, and some twists that had me concerned for our characters. The ending is rewarding. Although, I might have liked a little more follow-up on Adele and Grace. 
Kudos for a woman of color main, who is a multilingual Portuguese immigrant. Bonus points for the mouthwatering food descriptions.
My only con is that sometimes I was confused as to who was speaking in the dialogues. 
I recommend this book for a well-thought-out multilayered experience. I will certainly be reading more by this author.
TW: religious oppression, cult environment, sexual assault, child sexual assault, rape, implied murder, physical assault, kidnapping, infidelity, child marriage, indoctrination, suicide
#oppositesattract #UpstateNewYork #LakesideCamp #religiouscult #foundfamily #largefamilies #Conneticut #Manhattan #journalist #opendoorspice #spicy #sharingclothes #firsttime #virgin #consentissexy #onlyonebed #WOC #PortugueseImmigrants

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

"Laying on of hands" in this story is obviously nothing to do with religion! Although there is certainly quite a lot of hands being laid on in a non religious way! Most of what is detailed in the book is definitely consensual (certainly the sensual part applies!) although some of it is not but don't want to spoil the storyline. A quite riveting story. I sat up to the wee small hours to finish it. I wasn't too sure about the book when I read the summary of it but any of Patricia Evans books I've read previously I have enjoyed so I thought it would be worth a try. I was not disappointed.

I have devoured every new release of Patricia Evans since I started reading her books last year. I love the in-depth situations and details that Evans provides. 

This book is steamy, serious, and heartbreaking at times. The chemistry is good, I liked how it grew with each interaction. There is substantial character growth. 

The secondary characters were well developed,  added to the story. They had important rolls that were, at times, spot-lighted. 

The angst is predictable. Resolved in a decent time-frame, yet short. The book also ends immediately after the reunion, no epilogue, and no further dialog after seeing each other. It feels as though there was more effort wrapping up the main circumstances. I was left with questions. 

I hope this is a one-off because I have greatly enjoyed the other books by Evans and look forward to future releases by this author.  


TW - Brief rape scene of minor and underage assult, cult, cheating

A great story which was a difficult read at times. It kept me on the edge of my seat hoping for the best outcome for everyone but concerned about what might happen. The characters were funny at times and heartbreaking at others. A really good read which I thoroughly enjoyed. A story of true love, trust and friendships during very difficult and scary times. Beautifully written with great characters. Patricia Evans writes a great story.

I have read several of the author’s books and have yet to be disappointed. The situations that these girls endured were disturbing, to say the least. I thought poor Grace would never be free, but she persevered. There was plenty of angst, and some wonderful spice, as well. Once again, a great book by this author.

We will overcome - religious cults
Evans tackles a heartwrenching topic in Laying of Hands: women and religious cults in the US. Adel Rosse, a journalist, is going to a religious summer camp for young women to do undercover work about the religious cult. Although something is off from the start (and gives not only Adel but readers the chills) there is the slow friendship starting between Adel and Grace, who is an old maid and program organizer at the camp. Over time more strong women join in a network of support and this balances the growing horror of realizing what is really happening with the young girls at camp.
I loved the descriptions of all things nature - Evans has a real gift for capturing the mood of her setting. The most powerful scene is when Grace for the first time allows herself to be herself in a dramatic scene with Adel: pure, unadulterated female empowerment. I loved how women band together to stand up against evil and the strong family ties of Adel with her Portuguese family. The end though very dramatic, was for me to rushed and could have been more fleshed out.
This is at its heart a very political book: It left me wondering about the millions of women who live in countries where there is nearly no escape and justice because the state religion makes this kind of female oppression the legal norm.

I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

this book wasnt an easy one to read being the subject matter but what stood out for me was the two characters adele and grace.....they were written so well that though the actual story content was at times stomach churning you were routing for these two....


adele is an investigative reporter sent undercover to find out all she can about valley of rubies and why only women attend.... could there be a dark secret behind it all or is there really nothing to see....

26 year old grace is starting her summer job at her favourite place in the world, she loves working with all the young women who come there but her world is about to be turned upside down as she has been told she is to marry.... she cant refuse or else she will be excommunicated....

this book is well written though again the subject matter may make people struggle with this one and may need a warning before starting this one about what you may uncover whilst reading this one

This book deals with a lot of very sensitive issues. Definite trigger warnings for sexual abuse and violence in this one!

I did enjoy reading this one, the plot was very interesting and the book is well written. I found myself very invested in the investigation of the camp and I wanted to see the cult taken down for all the horrific events that took place. Additionally I loved a lot of the side characters, particularly the team of Bethany, Nora, Hannah, and Kate. Them all helping Adel and Grace together to bring down the cult was a lot of fun to see.

However, I didn't quite like the romance on this one as much as I'd hoped. I think it was a little bit rushed and I didn't really feel the chemistry between them like I'd hoped. I also didn't like how Adel got with Grace despite being with her ex girlfriend still, even if her ex was cheating I think she shouldn't have stooped to her level. Plus the moments of her randomly checking out Hannah felt weird and unnecessary to me.

Overall, the book was interesting to read and kept my attention because of the cult investigation. But the romance fell a little flat for me. 3.7/5 stars.

A very intense story and topic that is beautifully written but loses some of its tension in the first half of the book.
I have loved Patricia Evans' character development in all of her books, which were recently reissued by Bold Strokes Books.
Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed or heard of her books before.
In "Laying of Hands" there is a very slow development until about halfway through the book and then it moves quite quickly. So much so that the end was almost a bit too quick for me. However, I really liked Adel, Grace and also their friends Hannah, Kate, Bethany and Nora.
The love story between Adel and Grace is gentle and cautious and then hot and intense.
I found the intimacy between the two important and the hot scenes are also extremely important to Grace's development and courage in my opinion.
As always, wonderfully written with a lot of feeling and dedication.
I don't want to give too much away about the "Valley of Rubies" and this whole mysterious order.
It should remain exciting. Many thanks to Patricia Evans, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I’ll start with the main con I had. I didn’t feel the sex scenes fit with the book, I understood why and that she was reclaiming her body however for such a serious topic I just don’t think it was needed

the first half I was quite bored but as it picked up and all the information about the camp started coming out I couldn’t put it down, I needed to finish it so I do think some bits weren’t needed.

Overall the book was good, the plot was interesting and unique, when reading a book about a serious topic it’s nice to have the bits in the middle so it’s not too much all in one go, so the bits about going home and adel and Hannah’s friendship was good. I’d like to see a book from Hannah’s POV about her work