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34th out of 558 books
—
445 voters
Bittersweet (California Historical Series #2)
Laney McCain has unabashedly had her sights set on Galen O'Sullivan for years. And though Galen has treated her as nothing more than his best friend's pesky tag-along sister, Laney dares hope that now is the time he will open his eyes and truly recognize the woman she's become.
But the arrival of Ishmael and Ivy Grubb, squatters on the O'Sullivans' land, diverts Galen's at...more
But the arrival of Ishmael and Ivy Grubb, squatters on the O'Sullivans' land, diverts Galen's at...more
Paperback, 399 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Bethany House Publishers
(first published January 1st 2007)
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This review is of an ARC version of the book "Bittersweet" of the California Historical Series, book #2 by Cathy Marie Hake. After finishing book #1, "Letter Perfect", I could not help but be intrigued and eager to read the second installation of the lives I had come to care for and love in Folsom and the Broken P.
Receiving this book put me in a bit of a mood, because I ordered it from a swapping website and an ARC copy arrived. A few conversations and corrections later, the sender was extremel...more
Receiving this book put me in a bit of a mood, because I ordered it from a swapping website and an ARC copy arrived. A few conversations and corrections later, the sender was extremel...more
I loved this book! Even though it is a stand alone novel it involves characters from the novel "Letter Perfect". This novel is focused on Josh's sister, Laney who has always had a crush on Galen. So when Galen finally starts paying attention to her, Laney is in absolute heaven. That is until, two strangers walk into Galen's life that will halt all plans for his future with Laney.
This book is an easy read, very engaging and I absolutely couldn't put it down!
This book is an easy read, very engaging and I absolutely couldn't put it down!
I actually didn't finish this book. I couldn't get past all the dialog. I think she was trying to capture the old fashion mood with it and it bugged me too much.
I absolutely loved "Letter Perfect" and when I found out there was a continuation I had to read it. "Bittersweet" was one of those that I just couldn't put down. I had to literally tear myself away from it to get anything done. Even though parts of the story where pretty predictable it still made for a wonderful story. I've found another fictional man to be in love with besides Edward Cullen in the Twilight Saga. Galen O'Sullivan is incredible!! Cathy Marie Hake is now on my list of favorite aut...more
It was as good as the first book! (Letter Perfect)
I was disappointed when reading reviews of this book. I just happened across it at the library but had read the previous novel for BookClub and LOVED it! I was so excited to see a sequel about Laney. I was bummed to read less than kind reviews of the book when I got home and was then somewhat less excited to start it...
HOWEVER- I loved the book. I admit I did enjoy the 1st book more but Bittersweet was definately a great book. I nearly cried, it was wonderful.
And made me realize I need to be a l...more
HOWEVER- I loved the book. I admit I did enjoy the 1st book more but Bittersweet was definately a great book. I nearly cried, it was wonderful.
And made me realize I need to be a l...more
*SPOILER*
Book Review
Bittersweet by Cathy Mare Hake
Emily Sylvestre
1. What do you think the story was about?
The book was about two neighbouring families, the O’Sullivans and the McCains, who are very close friends. Laney who is the youngest child of the McCains “has her sights set on” Galen O’Sullivan the oldest of the five O’Sullivan sons. But to him Laney is nothing more than his neighbour and his best friend's little sister. She longs for him to notice she has become a women but he fails t...more
Book Review
Bittersweet by Cathy Mare Hake
Emily Sylvestre
1. What do you think the story was about?
The book was about two neighbouring families, the O’Sullivans and the McCains, who are very close friends. Laney who is the youngest child of the McCains “has her sights set on” Galen O’Sullivan the oldest of the five O’Sullivan sons. But to him Laney is nothing more than his neighbour and his best friend's little sister. She longs for him to notice she has become a women but he fails t...more
The tone of the story is summed up in the title. Nevertheless it's a lovely, compelling sequel to "Letter Perfect" from Christian author Cathy Marie Hake that you won't want to miss.
Laney McCain has been in love with Galen O'Sullivan for half of forever although he has never shown any interest in her except as his best friend's pesky little sister.
Galen O'Sullivan can hardly believe it's taken him so long to wake up....Laney McCain has become a woman...(when did that happen?!)...& he's out t...more
Laney McCain has been in love with Galen O'Sullivan for half of forever although he has never shown any interest in her except as his best friend's pesky little sister.
Galen O'Sullivan can hardly believe it's taken him so long to wake up....Laney McCain has become a woman...(when did that happen?!)...& he's out t...more
I know I've heard "somewhere" that life is like a box of chocolates...well in this book, life is likened unto a chocolate bar... bittersweet. I've also heard about a "shot gun" wedding, we'll now I've read about one of those too. You know I hate it when it's the day the man of my dreams is ready to propose and I go to church and in the middle of the service a guy with a shot gun barges in, insisting that the man of my dreams is the father of his sister's child, and in an instant my life takes a...more
The best thing about this book was that it unfolded a more interesting story with twists than you expect at first. I call it a "slow start" book, but I was blessed by perseverance.
Our first main character, Ivy, who has no real background of family, teaching, or life information comes to know a well-respected ladylike young woman named Laney. It looks like she has had everything. They are as different as night and day. And yet, it seems they learn things from each other during a story of love, c...more
Our first main character, Ivy, who has no real background of family, teaching, or life information comes to know a well-respected ladylike young woman named Laney. It looks like she has had everything. They are as different as night and day. And yet, it seems they learn things from each other during a story of love, c...more
Well, I was really disappointed in this book. It is the second book by Hake that I have read I really enjoyed the first one "Fancy Pants". The problems I had with the book were, first the extremely annoying dialog, I know that it was to supposed the capture the time period but I was sick and tired of 'tis and 'tisn't by the end of the book. I also found the the relationship development between the characters, were poorly written. Galen thinks of Lainey as an annoying kid and then he gets his han...more
This was the follow up book to Letter Perfect and brings the characters back basically where you left them. The focus of this book though is more Laney and Galen's family. There were a few twists I was not expecting at all which really made the book interesting. The character development was good again and the story moved along at a good pace. I was glad that there was an epilogue at the end to tye up the other loose ends that remained in the characters lives. I wish there was going to be anothe...more
If there are two things in this world that I normally like, it's romance and some historical fiction. When you put them together, it's almost always a win-win in my mind. But, things just didn't seem to quite come together for me in this book. I thought the character development and plot were rushed in some parts (how do you go from thinking someone is "pesky" to loving her in a matter of a day?), but in other parts it was too slow. All in all, just....no. I think all the elements for a good sto...more
When I finished the last book I was hoping for more and this book delivered it. Laney McCain is still head over heels for Galen O’Sullivan. Galen is still overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for his mother and brothers, plus the sudden appearance of the land squatters the Grubb family. When Galen comes to realize that Laney has become a woman, and what his feelings for her are. But when he is just about to propose, Ivy Grubb accuses him of impregnating her and is forced into a shot-gun...more
Laney McCain has had her heart set on Galen O'Sullivan for about as long as she can remember. Galen has only ever seen her as a pest and his best friend's younger sister, but suddenly it seems as if he's noticed she's a woman. Just when it seems like things will work out for them, though, the squatters Galen has generously been allowing to live on his family's land, stir up a whole passel of trouble.
This book has the same characters as Hake's Letter Perfect, but even readers who haven't read the...more
This book has the same characters as Hake's Letter Perfect, but even readers who haven't read the...more
Masih adakah arti dari sebuah ketulusan ?
Seberapa berhargakah sebuah penantian?
Cathy Maria Hake mencoba menjawabnya melalui novel ini.
Latar belakang negara bagian California di awal abad ke-19, diprosakan olehnya dengan jelas. Membacanya membuat anganku melayang lagi pada memori seri "Little House on The Prairie" yang kutonton di stasiun televisi pemerintah, sekitar 20 tahun silam.
Laney, figur wanita yang lembut, berpendidikan, berhati emas, dan mempunyai rasa cinta yang teramat besar kepada Tuh...more
Seberapa berhargakah sebuah penantian?
Cathy Maria Hake mencoba menjawabnya melalui novel ini.
Latar belakang negara bagian California di awal abad ke-19, diprosakan olehnya dengan jelas. Membacanya membuat anganku melayang lagi pada memori seri "Little House on The Prairie" yang kutonton di stasiun televisi pemerintah, sekitar 20 tahun silam.
Laney, figur wanita yang lembut, berpendidikan, berhati emas, dan mempunyai rasa cinta yang teramat besar kepada Tuh...more
This book is a bit preachy, but a great reminder of how we should reach out to those in need instead of judging them. At the same time, it emphasizes that the best way to teach about having faith in the Lord is to be an example of His teachings. The story line keeps the reader in suspense to the end as to how things will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction, which helps make up for the few repetitions from chapter to chapter. All in all it was an enjoyable book to read, showing how life is tru...more
Very good story, though could have been ever so slightly better. Certain parts of the story were somewhat predictable, while others, not so much.
Laney likes the next door neighbors eldest son, Galen, but he thinks of her as the annoying little sister to his best friend. Twins, Ivy and Ishmael Grubb along with their father set up camp on Galen's family's farm. The Grubbs are dirt poor make money by selling moonshine... or at least Mr. Grubb does if he doesn't consume all the liquor. Galen, not k...more
Laney likes the next door neighbors eldest son, Galen, but he thinks of her as the annoying little sister to his best friend. Twins, Ivy and Ishmael Grubb along with their father set up camp on Galen's family's farm. The Grubbs are dirt poor make money by selling moonshine... or at least Mr. Grubb does if he doesn't consume all the liquor. Galen, not k...more
This was a difficult book for me. I'd enjoyed reading of Laney's cruch on Galen in Letter Perfect and was looking forward to reading a sweet, gentle and funny romance about Galen's realization of Laney's becoming a beautiful young woman and not just the little sister of his best friend, but that's not what this book was. It was much deeper.
The book begins with Laney and Galen still in the same type of relationship as Letter Perfect, Laney in love with Galen, and Galen seeing Laney as a little si...more
The book begins with Laney and Galen still in the same type of relationship as Letter Perfect, Laney in love with Galen, and Galen seeing Laney as a little si...more
I didn't realize this was the 2nd book in a series and that I already read the first one, Letter Perfect. I thought it would just be a fun read and it was. There was a major plot twist that I definitely didn't see coming and I wasn't sure how the author was going to wrap it all up. I thought it turned out ok. Bitterseet did turn out to be a fun read. I'm not sure if it is up there on my "have to read again list." Ooh- that's a thought- make a list of books I just have to read again and again!
It appears from the other reviews that readers either loved this book or hated it. Well, I loved it and think Hake has moved onto a whole new level in historical romance novel writing.
Her characters are complex and deal with real world issues. They react in ways that humans would--and without being sappy-sweet Christians, Hake shows how a Christian works through real problems struggling with feelings and how Christ would have us to be. I was surprised with the issues that she tackled in this se...more
Her characters are complex and deal with real world issues. They react in ways that humans would--and without being sappy-sweet Christians, Hake shows how a Christian works through real problems struggling with feelings and how Christ would have us to be. I was surprised with the issues that she tackled in this se...more
Pretty predictable... but good Christian romance. There was a really good part in it about how people like to twist Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart."
They wonder why God isn't giving them everything they want because they desire it- but they forget the part about delighting in him. Chances are if they're lined up with God and their hearts are in tune with him they won't desire the "temporal" things they once were!
They wonder why God isn't giving them everything they want because they desire it- but they forget the part about delighting in him. Chances are if they're lined up with God and their hearts are in tune with him they won't desire the "temporal" things they once were!
I picked this up without realizing it was "Christian fiction." While I got my typically "ugh" reaction to the fluff and theology of most Christian fiction, I LOVED the book. I couldn't put it down. There were unexpected twists, I could personally identify with the inner dialogue of the main character, and the characters (to me) were believable. Not sure if I'll try more in the series since I'm still lukewarm to "Christian fiction," but I might pick one up!
What a perfect name for this story. Make sure you read Letter Perfect first but by far this is the better of the two. I was devistated halfway through and thought how could this happen and how could she still have a happy ending. If this was real life it would be a tragedy but it was also a great learning experience for Laney and a testing of her faith and Christian values. I don't know if I would have been able to be as loving as Laney was. I only hope that in real life I can show true Christia...more
Good story to follow up Letter Perfect. I liked the characters the first time around and found them just as likable this time. All I can say is poor Lanie and Ivy. So much happened to these two women in the story that made me feel so bad for them. It took a while for the pivotal point (in my opinion) to happen. Almost half way through. A few characters seemed to appear out of nowhere as well. Overall, it was a good, fun, fast read. Perfect for a hot sumer day.
a very nice story about family and religion. very inspiring how i get to picture old times how family are so tight and that the old traditions are very much alive while reading the book. it was also kind of predictable since laney and galen were really meant to be for each other and then came along ivy. although i pity her situation and you cannot blame her, she only wants what is best for her baby.
I wanted to gouge my eyes out but it was free AND I'm hard-up for books here in Ecuador. I'm also KIND OF a sucker for period pieces so I thought it might be interesting and the puritan values kind of were especially since we give the Muslims such shit for their treatment of women but our own history is remarkably similar. Anyway a good beach read, I guess, but predictable.
at about pg 200, I thought this book to be super predictable and boring. as the other book I had read by this author, Fancy Pants was super funny, this isnt anyhing like that book other than they are both historical fiction. But then this book goes a different way. I only would have given a 3 star had it noy been for the change, but I fought w/this change as much as Galen did. overall not a terrible read.
Another historical fiction- I also just found out it is in the inspirational romance category. I liked the story and the details of the day to day farm and community life of the period. I also enjoyed the love story and appreciated a character who did the right things even in the face of being terribly wronged.
Just okay. Seemed like the author got stuck working the story around the doctrine she was trying to get across, rather than writing a story that had a Christian based theme to it. A little too heavy on the doctrine and too light on the story for a novel to me. Clean storyline, but not my favorite book.
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As a child, Cathy Marie Hake had an imaginary playmate. Now "grown up," she indulges in a host of imaginary friends as she writes. She teasingly says she decided if those voices in her head were talking, she might as well write down what they said and make a living by doing it. She met her sweetheart in the High School department at church and married him after finishing nursing school. They live...more
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