In Name Only

In Name Only

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3.72 of 5 stars 3.72  ·  rating details  ·  146 ratings  ·  43 reviews
1876, Philadelphia. Caroline Martin's life has finally taken a turn for the better. After years of hard work, she has met a virtuous and wealthy man whose love seems to promise the kind of life realized only within the comforting novels she keeps on her night table. Tragedy, however, will teach Caroline of the complexity with which God Himself authors the lives of those wh...more
Paperback, 410 pages
Published June 1st 2009 by Full Quiver Publishing
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Valjbianco
It is certainly tempting to look around at our world and lament simpler days gone by. We find ourselves surrounded by violence, sexual immorality, abortion, addiction…in short all of those things that we pray may never affect our children.
As one begins reading IN NAME ONLY, set in post-Civil War America in the late 1800’s, the cares and travails of today’s world rapidly melt away into a time when men were gentlemen and ladies were, well, just that. In fact it is easy to imagine that Gable’s s...more
Ruth
1876, Philadelphia. Caroline Martin's life has finally taken a turn for the better. After years of hard work, she has met a virtuous and wealthy man whose love seems to promise the kind of life realized only within the comforting novels she keeps on her night table. Tragedy, however, will teach Caroline of the complexity with which God Himself authors the lives of those who turn toward Him.

My Comments:
I wanted to like it; I really did. I did find it to be a better written better plotted novel th...more
Sue
I was asked to review the novel " In Name Only" by the author Ellen Gable on my Kindle.This is a historical romance novel set in the 1800's. Nineteen year old Caroline Martin journeys to Philadelphia to live with her uncle and cousin after the death of her beloved father, whom she has taken care of for many years. Uncomfortable in her new surroundings because of her own modest background, but welcomed by her wealthy uncle, she settles into her new life and is soon courted by her kind and upstand...more
Jean
In Name Only by Ellen Gable is a captivating romance novel set in Philadelphia in the late 1800’s. It is the story of Caroline Martin, an innocent and beautiful young woman who leaves her family home and heads for Philadelphia to live with her uncle and cousin following the death of her father. After many years of caring for her ill father and struggling to survive, Caroline’s life takes a turn for the better. She meets a handsome, virtuous, and wealthy man whose love is better than she ever ima...more
SwissMaedel
I just finished reading In Name Only.
I absolutely loved it.
Here's why:

-Quick read - couldn't put it down.
-Engaging and believable plot. This story could have easily really happened.
-Great character development - I love it when I read a book and I really feel like I know the people in the story.
-Well written. It's so great to read a novel that is well written!
-Kept me guessing. There were a few surprises along the way. I love it when I can't immediately guess everything that is going to happen in...more
Sarah
In Name Only is set in the late 1800’s in Pennsylvania. Recently orphaned Caroline finds herself living with her uncle and cousin, and a romance blossoms. Throughout the book, Caroline struggles with a variety of hurdles and challenges, and in the midst of appreciating the writing, I also was reminded that this house I live in was built in about that time period.

It’s easy for me to forget how different life is in 2009 than it was in 1878. It’s so much more comfortable here, but I couldn’t help b...more
Annmarie
I enjoy historical fiction, especially those that are romances. However, I have been hard pressed to find one that isn't full of imagery I would rather not be exposed to. With her novel In Name Only, Ellen Gable satisfied all my needs. This story is a true romance, wonderfully written and set in the Victorian time period.

Ellen tackles some difficult subjects with finesse. While the novel's main character is Caroline Martin, an orphan who goes to live with a wealthy uncle in Philadelphia, it is a...more
Melissa
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, it felt like a secular novel with catholic proselytizing thrown in for sport. The characters weren't developed very well. I had a hard time caring what happened to them and the two main "loving" relationships in the book weren't believable. The romance wasn't shown being developed. The characters just said they loved each other. I didn't believe it.

I think the author was trying to throw too much story into the book. The skipping through time quic...more
Mindy
A Kindle freebie... glad it was free. I don't think I realized this was fiction from a Catholic standpoint until I was halfway through it. So many better "religious fiction" choices out there than this one... the writing fell flat on so many levels, the characters were not rounded out, and the dialogue was so unbelievable (even for 1870's upper class people). A good idea: an orphaned 19-year-old who comes to live with her rich uncle & cousin, marries a next door neighbor, then has to navigat...more
Tanya
This is a book that I really wanted to like more. Unfortunately I have a hard time with the stilted writing style. It seems so much more passive than active that I never felt like I was living the life of the characters. David seems to be the more rounded of all the characters. Not being a member of the Catholic faith I can't comment on any of the religious doctrine in the story particularly as it relates to time period.
The story has great potential to be epic in nature but I find it flies throu...more
Chris
First, I will start off by saying that I am male and that I do not tend to gravitate towards romance, romantic comedy or anything in that same vein. Sure, I went through that stage when I was dating in which I watched romantic comedies for the sake of my then girlfriend, now wife and occasionally I still will at her request. However, on the whole I find the genre contrived, predictable and as painting unrealistic pictures of love, marriage and sensuality. In Name Only is none of those things.

I...more
Mercedes
I don't normally read religious fiction mostly because I find most of them quite dry but I do love a good historical fiction particularly from the time period that this one is set in. I did find the propriety and upper/lower class discussions in the beginning of the book kind of boring I will admit but the fact that the main character hated her corset was slightly entertaining. As a Catholic myself I was expecting more of that in the book when it really doesn't come until the second half of the...more
Mindi Morgan
I like to read faith-based fiction and this book looked interesting. The writing was a little above average and did keep my interest until about half way through. However, I started to get weary of the story and the over use of Catholic references. I am a Christian, but not Catholic. I felt like this author was pushing her own personal religious agenda on the reader, so I stopped in the middle. It was disappointing because the story line was solid except for a couple of Biblical fact errors. I w...more
Karla
This was a relaxing read, instead of watching mindless tv, etc. It is a historical romance, exploring issues of loss, grieving, human frailty, and redemption, and class discrepancies. Surprisingly, the book explores many Catholic concepts as heart practices rather than the modern day ritual it so often becomes. Unfortunately, it pushes Catholic concepts such as the immorality of birth control to a ridiculous measure. Still, all in all it was enjoyable, and an entertainment for a few hours. For i...more
Nancy Belanger
What fascinated me most about this lovely Catholic romance was all of the historical detail Ellen provides; it was like stepping back in time into Caroline's era. Ellen must have done a lot of research into this time period, and that makes the story that much more engaging. Caroline's story was sweet and moving, and like another reviewer, I also found myself thinking about her during the day when I wasn't reading the book; her characters are that real and that compelling. This book is a must-rea...more
Michael Seagriff
I'll be honest. This is not the type of book I would ordinarily put to the front of my reading list. I don not read a lot of fiction. But I had the privilege of meeting the author and seeing a sample of her work. I became enthralled with her story telling abilities.

Caroline, Liam and David immediately came to life. I felt that I was actually in Philadelphia in the mid 1800's witnessing the story unfolding right before my eyes. The author naturally, realistically and compellingly weaves the funda...more
Krisi Keley
In 1876, nineteen year old Caroline Martin journeys to Philadelphia to live with her uncle and cousin after the death of her beloved father, whom she has taken care of for many years. Uncomfortable in her new surroundings because of her own modest background, but welcomed by her wealthy uncle, she settles into her new life and is soon courted by her kind and upstanding neighbor, Liam O’Donovan, as well as frustrated by the presence of his vice-ridden, womanizing brother, David. Despite her conce...more
KareB
It took awhile for me to get used to the dialogue of this book. The characters took pride and care in their language, their appearance, their actions. This is a big contrast to the world of today. We live today focused on the bad and negative of the world; giving into tempation and immorality as "times are different". This story did a wonderful job demonstrating that, yes tempatation is out there but we do have the ability to withstand giving into "desire". I enjoyed this story. I don't think it...more
Mark Rolph cassanto
Ellen Gable crafts a fictional novel that quite obviously, and eloquently, adds elements of the JP II's Theology of the Body into it. True teaching without coming off in a 'quoting the Catholic Church' type of way. She builds character development very well and challenges us to plunge into what the main characters must deal with - lust, adultery, abortion, class distinction (in those days) all in a male dominant society. A good read. Definitely recommend to own.
Faith Flaherty
David the major male character was unreal. He shared more than is possible. At least in my experience, men don't find it easy to share. In fact, more Bible Sharing groups have women than men because of this. Men don't find it easy to share. Not only did David spill his guts easily, he'd share more than was necessary or was necessary to know. Without knowing, I'd say a woman wrote this just because of her unrealistic depiction of the male characters.
Carolyn Benton
In the midst of the 1800's, life was difficult. Precious lives ended suddenly. Ellen Gable is an incredible writer with an outstanding talent for expressing thoughts and feelings. The pain of losing someone is immense and the raw nerves are expressed well. This book shares the life of one woman, Caroline, her family, husbands, children, servants, and the constant power of God, His offered grace, forgiveness and understanding. Never a dull moment. Entertaining and enlightening.
Peyrac
Phew! Free read and so not my thing!

Several WTF-moments within the first 4%, completely contrived and applied with a lead-heavy hand. When I then felt sermonised to I checked the other reviews, and lo and behold!, yes it's Christian fiction.

Absolutely no thank you ma'am, keep your preaching to yourself! Brrrr...
Toni Ladd
In Name Only a novel by Ellen Gable is a wonderful work of Catholic historical fiction. It is so delightful to read a romance that keeps to moral teaching. I cried and I laughed while reading this book. Once started it is hard to put down and by the end I wished it could continue. A great book that I highly recommend.
Denisa Howe
This was a very very good book. It reminded me of Jane Austin's writing. Just when I thought the end was very near... it WASN"T and I so enjoyed the extra emotional ending. Not a sweet sappy perfect ending but a real sometimes harsh life living. I wanted it to go o
Suzanne
I enjoyed this book. It may have been a catholic fiction but it dealt with issues that are seldom or ever mentioned in other Christian novels. Porn, adultery abortion miscarriage, death are all a part of life and relationships.
Betti
Well written, with many ups and downs for the heroine. Good lessons were learned of how God can make good come out of bad. The story was very realistic and true to the temptations that we all face and of how we can overcome them.
Randy
Feb 08, 2013 Randy rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: so-so
At first I wasn't sure I wanted to read this book but then decided to go for it. I thought it was a little slow at the beginning and it seemed to take forever to introduce the characters. However, once it moved along some it was enjoyable.
Gloria Winn
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved how the characters developed and matured and engaged each other. Well written. Loved the Catholic influence on their choices. I would very much recommend this book.
Cindy
May 07, 2012 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2012
I cried all the way trough this book. It was the saddest book I've ever read yet I couldn't stop reading it. I warn anybody who is sad or depressed don't read this book until you are feeling better!
Loraine
Complex and intriguing story line with excellent characters grappling with life's ups and downs. Forgiveness, grace, mercy and growth permeate the story line of all 3 of the main characters in this interesting book.
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In Name Only (Kindle Edition)
1595635
Ellen Gable (Hrkach) is an award-winning, bestselling author of four books and publisher/editor of two additional books. All three of her novels have been #1 on Amazon Kindle's Religious & Liturgical Drama category. Her third novel, Stealing Jenny, is a contemporary suspense novel that has been in the top ten of that category for 18 months. Ellen is currently President of the Catholic Writers'...more
More about Ellen Gable...
Stealing Jenny Emily's Hope Come My Beloved Angela's Song Growing Up in God's Image

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