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May 07, 2008

Erin rated it:

To be perfectly honest, I thought this book was mis-titled. It seemed to me there was an unrealistic amount of passion used as a plot device when the author could have used a little more imagination and purity. Growing up in a large family, I found the sibling rivalry overemphasized and unrealistic as well. There was a section in the middle of the book that was really good - passion and purity - but then it got all mixed up again and gave me a sick feeling. This was a debut novel and I'm sad to More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Aug 03, 2011

Katie rated it:

What a roller coaster ride of emotions A Passion Most Pure takes the reader on! Not only are the romantic readers satisfied by the countless warm moments, but this book over bounds with lessons! Faith's personal relationship with the Lord was really sweet and watching her parents, Patrick and Marcy, relying on the Lord through every dark moment was inspiring. You can't read A Passion Most Pure and not learn something by the end!

This was Julie Lessman's debut novel, and I'm blown away b More...

4 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 12, 2007

Michelle rated it:

Book Description:

Refusing to settle for anything less than a romantic relationship that pleases God, Faith O'Connor steels her heart against her desire for the roguish Collin McGuire. But when Collin tries to win her sister Charity's hand, Faith is not sure she can handle the jealousy she feels. To further complicate matters, Faith finds herself the object of Collin's affections, even as he is courting her sister. The Great War is raging overseas, and a smaller war is brewing in the More...

0 comments like (6 people liked it)

Sep 20, 2010

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) rated it:

The first book in the Daughters of Boston series. Faith O'Connor fell in love with Collin McGuire as a young girl. Collin is a bold, brash rogue who lacks Faith's devout faith in God. When Collin begins secretly courting Faith's younger sister, Charity, she isn't sure her heart can handle it. After circumstances bring them together a couple of times, Collin begins to realize he has feelings for Faith as well.

When America joins World War 1, Collin is sent to battle along with Faith' More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 19, 2009

Debra rated it:

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. If you love romance, you'll love, A Passion Most Pure. The characters are amazing. In fact, I hated for the story to end, because I fell in love with all of the people in the story. This is a true romance. You don't have to wait for the last page to enjoy sweet kisses and yummy dreams.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2011

Jocelyn rated it:

This is a book you can really sink your teeth into. It's long enough to allow for great character development for several characters, rather than just one or two main ones surrounded by a cast of cardboard cut-out extras.
The protagonist, Faith, is someone you will really care about. I can't stress how important this is. All of the books I didn't really get into can be traced back to one fatal flaw: I didn't care about the main character. If you don't care about her (or him), you don't care More...

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Sep 03, 2011

Siobian rated it:

Faith O'Connor is the good girl in her large Boston Irish family. She helps her mother around the house and with her siblings, minds her father's instructions and prays regularly. She has fallen for a boy she knew from school, Collin McGuire, and hopes that one day, he will notice her too. However, Collin is definitely the bad boy. He is known for making girls fall for him, sleeping with them, then leaving them in the dust after only a few days or weeks. But, one girl has had him coming arou More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Mar 28, 2010

Jennifer rated it:

Description

Faith O'Connor refuses to settle for anything less than a romantic relationship that pleases God. She arms her heart against her desire for Collin McGuire, a man with a rakish reputation and a magnetic appeal that keeps tugging at her. But when Collin tries to win her younger sister's hand, Faith isn't sure she can handle it. Tension escalates in the O'Connor household when Collin sets his sights upon Faith, while still courting her sister.

With the Great War ra More...

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Mar 17, 2010

Brandi rated it:

Faith, Colin, and Charity make for a serious love triangle. Not something you might think to find in a Christian romance but here it was, and I loved every moment of it. The book is set in Boston 1916, with America on the verge of declaring war of Germany. The O'Connor's enjoy a comfortable life with their large family and Christian convictions. What they also have is two daughters in love with the same man, one Colin Maquire.

The story continues with Colin persuing one of the sister More...

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Jan 30, 2010

Casey rated it:

Faith thought she knew her sister- until she finds her in the bushes with the man Faith loves. From page one the rift can only grow wider as these two sisters battle for the same man. The trials in this Irish American family only escalate as loving sisters turn on each other, their love for the same man bringing out the absolute worst in their relationship. Pushing all involved to the breaking point.
This was my first book by Julie Lessman and I was not disappointed. This book is long, More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 19, 2009

Ruth rated it:

I thought Julie Lessman did an excellent job of presenting a very human and realistic story. Christians struggle with issues of jealousy, desire, anger, and sorrow. These struggles are wonderfully shown in this book.

The main plot is the growing desire that Faith and Collin share, though they both try to resist it. She tries to fight it because he is not saved, and she knows that since he doesn't have a passion for God, then his passion for her won't be pure. It is God's will for a h More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 04, 2009

Mary rated it:

I'm so glad to know that there are two more books in the Daughters of Boston series and another three books coming in the Winds of Change series - this way, I can treasure the O'Connell family for a long time to come.

To be honest, I haven't read such an emotionally engaging book in quite some time. From the first chapter, I was engrossed in the relationships, drama, and life lessons embedded in the plot. As a testament to the book's powerful story, I cried (well, sobbed is more like More...

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Dec 28, 2010

Elise rated it:

This is my first book by Julie Lessman and I found it to be an enjoyable and engaging read. First, it is extremely well written. The characters are well developed, the plot is good and the story is not rushed, but takes its time unfolding -- giving the reader ample time to grapple with the details contained within.

There is a bit of suspense in the book, in that you don't quite know just how the hero, Collin and heroine, Faith will come together, given the dynamics of the storyline (i.e More...

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May 01, 2011

Tamara rated it:

A PASSION MOST PURE follows the life of Faith O’Connor, the eldest daughter in a prominent Bostonian family in 1916. Always at odd with her sister, Charity, Faith is shocked to find out the man she has always held a torch for is courting her younger sister. Collin McGuire is a rouge of a man and someone Faith’s father has forbidden his daughter to have a relationship with, unbeknownst to him that both his daughter are pining away for the same man. Faith, ever so proper, and truly desiring to More...

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Dec 10, 2009

Zette rated it:

As a whole, I really enjoyed this book. I did have a little problem with the idea of the sisters (Faith & Charity) both having passionate scenes with the same men (Collin & Mitch). It was a little difficult for me to accept that they could put those things aside in their relationship and stay together but maybe that was just me. I enjoyed the writing and the story being about the whole O'Connor family more than just the main characters. Julie Lessman did a wonderful job of showing how God ca More...

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Nov 20, 2011

Eva rated it:

I understand the whole continuing with story thing so the reader knows what happens to other characters. But what I think is that this series could've done well to stop with this one.

[Did I just shock Julie Lessman fans? :)]

Seriously, though, I [kinda] loved this book because it had such a good message about purity, waiting for God's timing, standing strong on a foundation of God's Word no matter the challenges that arise, among other things.

It's beautiful, p More...

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Dec 03, 2009

Lori rated it:

I had never heard of "edgy" Christian Fiction romance until the release of Julie Lessman's debut novel, A Passion Most Pure. I wasn't sure what that meant until I finally had an opportunity to read it. There has been quite a bit of controversy over her books. Personally, I don't understand why. In my opinion, it's refreshing to see an author who is brave enough to write a book (especially in the Christian Fiction realm) that covers some of the "delicate" issues. What's wrong More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 30, 2011

Cindi rated it:

World War I is in full force on the other side of the Atlantic, while in Boston the O'Connor family is dealing with a war of their own. Oldest daughter Faith has just joined the typing pool of the Boston Herald where her father, Patrick O'Connor, is the assistant editor. For as long as Faith can remember she has loved Collin McGuire, but Collin loves her sister Charity. Charity will do whatever she has to in order to get what she wants and make Faith's life miserable at the same time. More...

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Mar 12, 2011

Pattiwan rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Dec 28, 2011

Anne rated it:

Faith O’Connor has always been in love with Collin McGuire. Since the day he rescued her in high school.
Before his father died. And Collin’s dreams died as well. And Collin McGuire became . . . trouble.

When Faith catches him kissing her younger sister, Charity, the questions begin. Who will save Charity from Collin’s manipulations? And rescue Faith from her own heart?
And when he realizes he just might be kissing the wrong sister, who will rescue Collin?
From them both.
More...

1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Sep 21, 2010

Tiffany rated it:

What am I to say about this book. First it is classified as an inspirational fiction or in some categories Christian fiction. I have now read a few books from this genre and have enjoyed them. This one is edgy for this genre. In the first half of the book there was more kissing I believe than any other book I have read. I enjoyed the novel but there were things I didn't enjoy. Me being a pessimist will list a few.

1) Charity - do I need to say more
2) The story had you want More...

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Mar 08, 2011

Heather rated it:

This is more like 2.5 stars, I think. I was alternately captivated by, frustrated with and angry at the characters in varying degrees.

What I liked: It was so nice to read a book where there was true physical passion between characters, but the main character still kept her integrity. Also, the passages where the whole family were together were absolute magic and so enjoyable to read. The loving relationship of Faith's parents was fantastic.

What I didn't like: There w More...

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Aug 12, 2009

Linda rated it:

This trilogy includes "A Passion Most Pure," "A Passion Redeemed," and "A Passion Denied." I found the books to be detailed and intricate in the plots throughout all the novels. About the time you think you have it figured out, it changes. The characters are well described, deep. These books are not a quickie read-through. There is lots to be gleaned from each book. Some call them 'edgy.' I found them to be appropriate in the context of the relationships. More...

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Jan 17, 2011

Elizabeth (etandksmom on TM's) rated it:

I'm really enjoying this book. I picked it up last night at bedtime (of course) and I was us till nearly 2am. I couldn't put it down.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was soooo good. I spend many nights getting less sleep than I should have because I just could not stop reading.

The characters are well developed. The writing style was lovely. I loved the story so much that I went out the next day and picked up the 2nd and 3rd books from the series. Faith and Collin are More...

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Nov 29, 2011

Karla rated it:

Lessman’s novel, A Passion Most Pure, is one of the best romantic and heart- breaking love stories yet. The author sets her characters in a descriptive scenario about a girl who falls in love with her soul mate who wishes to be with her sister. Later, Collin McGuire is passionately in love with Faith, and struggles to decide which one of the sisters he will marry. This drama defines how the heart overcomes the mind. Julie gives intense, vivid images in one of her best works. A Passion Most Pure More...

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Sep 21, 2011

Sarah rated it:

"A Passion Most Pure" has made it's way into my top 10 most favorites and yearly re-reads. Julie Lessman has crafted a rich, wonderful read with characters you feel like could walk off the page and enjoy a cup of coffee with you. An avid reader, the majority of my reads are "Inspy" fiction, which I must say often leave me feeling like "who is REALLY that perfect in life" Julie's characters not only inspire in how to pursue a passion for God, but don't leave you roll More...

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Jul 07, 2011

Barbara rated it:

Julie Lessman had my opinion of her writing fluctuating from "This is way too much" to "Wow, this is great," which is probably why I ended up with a middle of the road rating. I loved the characters of Faith, Marcy, and Patrick and how they were presented. The reason I didn't like the book in many places was that I really had a hard time stomaching the character of Charity. She is the antithesis of what I would want to be, and didn't really grow or change, at least in my opin More...

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Sep 23, 2010

Edwina rated it:

I was hooked from the very beginning! Julie Lessman did such a smashingly good job of developing the O'Connor family, I wanted to be adopted! There were wonderful surprises at each twist and turn and the romance and love oozed from the pages. There were hardships, of course, but those were always resolved through prayer and faith. This book is a wonderful testimony of God's love and His faithfulness. If you haven't read this first book in the Daughters of Boston series, I highly recommend it. An More...

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May 13, 2011

Kristen rated it:

I just love this story. The more I read of this series, the more I like Lessman's writing. I absolutely loved Faith's story. It's my favorite by far, even though I knew how it turned out before I started it, since I read them out of order. She's so lovable and a great example of what a Christian should be. She's not perfect of course, she makes mistakes and has a temper, but her heart is always in the right place and she lives to please God. Even when things get really bad for her, and thanks to More...

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Nov 21, 2010

Meghan rated it:

Well, this is the second Lessman I have read, and though I still enjoyed the book, it lessened my opinion of her writing considerably. This was a carbon copy of A Hope Undaunted. Or I suppose the other way around, since this one was written first. But it had all the same types of characters: insanely handsome men who are good but rather driven by passion, women who end up engaged to two men or more over the course of the book, and all of it just way too over the top. The plot dragged on too l More...

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