House on the Hill

by Annette Lyon

It’s the late 1870s, and Lizzy Sullivan is struggling to understand why God hasn’t healed her little brother David. Then one night, tragedy strikes Lizzy’s family when their rural home burns down. Financially unable to rebuild, the Sullivans must find another place to live — and Lizzy must leave her lifelong friend Joshua behind. When a family in Logan invites the Sullivans to share their home, Lizzy’s father begins work as a mason on the Logan temple. Against her mother’s wishes, Lizzie begins a relationship and falls in love with Abe, a young man who is not a member of the Church. Little does Lizzy realize that Abe and her dear friend Joshua, who both work in the quarries, will soon become close friends — and she will be forced to choose between these two good men. What does she truly want in her life? House on the Hill, by best-selling author Annette Lyon, will sweep you back in time to a faithful community where life was simpler than it is today, but matters of the heart were every bit as complex. See also At the Journey’s End, Spires of Stone, and Tower of Strength, volumes two, three and four in Annette Lyon’s Temple Series.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Lds, Clean Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2005

About the author

Annette Lyon is a USA Today bestselling author, an 9-time recipient of Utah’s Best in State medal for fiction (three times for novel-length works and five times for short fiction), and a Whitney Award winner for BAND OF SISTERS. She's the author of over a dozen novels, at least that many novellas, a cookbook, a popular grammar guide, and over a hundred magazine articles.

She’s a founder and regular contributor of the Timeless Romance Anthologies line of sweet romance stories, which she served as editor for its first three years. She's also one of the four co-authors of The Newport Ladies Book Club series. She graduated cum laude from BYU with a degree in English.

Annette is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Her first suspense novel, Just One More, releases 2023 through Scarlet Suspense.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annette Lyon is one of my favorite LDS authors, so of course I've read all of her books. She has written a historical temple series of a sort (although you can read each book seperately). Her first temple book is House on the Hill. The story takes place in the 1870's, Logan, Utah. Part of the story centers on the building of the Logan temple, so the reader learns all kinds of interesting facts.

The main character is Lizzy Sullivan. As the story opens, Lizzy is doused in the refiner's fire, literally. Her house burns down, and it seems no matter how much faith she tries to muster, her little brother keeps getting sicker and sicker. Her family has to move in with another family until they can get back on their feet. During this time, Lizzy meets a young man--not of her faith. But, her best friend from her childhood tries to court her, and suddenly Lizzy is confronted with the most difficult choice of her life--choosing between the two men she loves.

I love historical fiction, but even more, I love it when I'm so pulled into the story that I don't realize I'm reading "historical" fiction. This book has some romance, some history, but most of all, solid characters that draw us back into a time where we might think life was more simple.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and short read. Although it is written by and likely for an audience that is Latter-day Saint, this book is equally applicable to any Christian or non-Christian.

A sweet and raw, honest story of a young woman in the late 1800's trying to adjust to the family's new life and decide exactly what she believes or doesn't in regard to God, miracles, prayers, and faith. A love story where she must decide exactly what it is she truly wants in her heart. A life full of challenges, which leave many, including the protagonist of this story, wondering where God is in all of the "mess" and how to make sense of "bad" things happening to good people.

Short read. I recommend it if you like sweet, feel-good stories that are still real and raw with confronting life's challenges. No one has it easy and we must each determine where we stand and what we believe.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lizzie is a young woman growing up in Cache Valley, Utah as the LDS temple is being built in Logan. She is struggling with the sacrifices being asked of her family and questioning whether there is a God, because if there is, then He is ignoring her.

Parts of this book were interesting and even compelling. Other parts were boring or frustrating. Basically the story suffers because it is an early novel from the author. From other reviewers, I understand the second book, At the Journey's End, is more fulfilling to read. I will give it a try.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book about Abe Franklin who was Indian, who had been adopted by a white couple. He was abused by the father and loved by the mother. He met a girl and fell in love. This story weaves in and out of his feelings, his working on the Logan Temple in the quarry with another fellow who had also had a girl he hoped to make his own. They talked about it together, never realizing they were talking about the same girl.

[Dlora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice LDS romance set in the late 1800s around the building of the Logan Temple. Lots of factual details and events from that time. The characters are well-rounded and believable. The usual triangle romance supplies the conflict, along with Lizzie’s struggle to reconcile her doubts about the faith that’s she’s been taught all her life. Interestingly, I was rooting for both Joshua, the childhood sweetheart, and Abe, the dashing romantic new guy. I could have been happy with either ending.

[Christy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an early Church history story that takes place in Logan, Utah, during the building of the temple. It has a love triangle in it, which is a trope that I don't have a very strong tolerance for. It was okay.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living almost in the 'shadow of the Logan temple' it was interesting to hear of some of the miracles involved with it's construction.

[Shondayle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a great book

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzy's indecision about her beliefs is causing heartache for not only herself, but the two beaus wanting to marry her. When realization does hit, her dreams will come true.

[Shallon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but wouldn't read again

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really intriguing story. I especially like that, at the end, the author let's you know what was fictional and what was based on true experiences!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are better books

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Nikki Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as inspiration fiction goes, Annette Lyon has always been one of my favorites. This book was the first I read of hers and it hooked me so thoroughly that after I was done I went back at the bookstore and bought as many of Annette's books that I could find. She is an amazing author and I love all of her books that I have read. Since buying this book and the other three that are like it, I have read and re-read them several times. Each of these books take you back in time to the days of the early saints. She adds a intriguing story and soon you are swept away into the 1800's and you can't stop reading because you feel like you are really there. You laugh and cry with her characters and if your like me, maybe shout a time or two when something is not going right. Lol! ;-) The point is this, whether you are reading House on the Hill, Spires of Stone, Towers of Strength, At Journeys End, or any of her more modern Books she has written, well I recommend them all! Annette is a fantastic Author and I have never been disappointed by any of her books. So start with the four I listed and then read until your heart is content, because the list of Annette's books is very long and I myself can't wit to read her next one.

[Linnae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzy's family has had their share of trials. 3 siblings have died as babies or toddlers. Not to mention her cousin Jimmy, whose accident at age 6 has left him permanently impaired (and whose mother left him in their care without looking back.) Then their house burns down. Lizzy and her sickly little brother David manage to make it out, but the 2-mile walk (well, Lizzy carried him) on a cold night does nothing to help his fever. Lizzy can't understand why God doesn't answer or prayers, or seem to care about her. The faith of her parents seems naïve.

Their family moves into town, sharing a home with another family until they can save up to buy something else. In the meantime, her father has found work on the Logan Temple going up nearby. Before long, Lizzy meets a mysterious Shoshone man, Abe, while still writing to her longtime best friend Joshua. She's got some big choices ahead of her.

I really liked the history of the temple construction, and felt it was woven into the story deftly. I especially appreciated the author's notes at the end laying out which parts were the actual history. I think Lizzy's journey towards faith was well done. The romantic entanglements kept the plot moving forward. I enjoyed it.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzy has been raised in the church all her life but failed to gain a testimony of her own based on her parents testimonies alone. When tragedy reaches her family through fires and death and hardship she blames a God who isn't interested in hearing the prayers of someone so unrighteous as herself. When they move closer to the building of the Logan temple Lizzy leaves behind her best friend Joshua. Little did she know that he would like to make her a permanent part of his family. She then meets Abe an Indian and Heathen according to her mother because he doesn't belong to their faith. Her mother forbids her to see him and this only allicites secret meetings. Lizzy can finally tell someone of her unbelief and believes that Abe is the man she loves. With continued tragedy Lizzy learns about sincerne prayer and does get an answer to her prayer at last. great story of love, loss and testimony building experiences.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a young LDS girl, second generation Mormon, who grows up wondering whether what she has been taught to believe is really true. We grow with her through a friendship with a young man she has grown up with and another, more exciting romance with a dark, handsome stranger.

I loved this book. It was an easy read as historical fiction because Annette Lyon, the author, does not go out of her way to include every historical tidbit you could ever wish (or not) to know. Her research is thorough, and she uses it to provide a true backdrop, but it never takes over the story. I highly recommend it.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry Amy, that I never said I was going to read this or that I was reading it. Mom brought it on the train and I decided to read it during our trip.

This book was fairly entertaining, although it had a pretty predictable plot. I got annoyed with the main character, though. She'd been brought up in the church, but didn't have a testimony of her own. She said she wanted to gain a testimony but never really did anything about it, like simply reading the Book of Mormon.

I did learn things about the building of the Logan temple that I didn't know, so I did like that.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd probably give this book a 3.5.

My friend said this was a wonderful book. I had kind of hard time getting interested in it, though. I got tired of the main character's selfishness and immaturity.

It's an historical fiction novel about the building of the Logan Temple. I really liked reading about the temple and incidents that happened during its construction.

The main focal point of the story, however, is a love triangle, which does finally get resolved. It's also about an LDS family in the 1880's and all of the hardships and tragedies they had to endure.

[Ladawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read a churh book like this. At first I was rating this a 3 for a simple, easy read. But when I started sobbing at the end I decided to shoot for the four. It's an easy read about daughter of a family who crossed the plains. The faith of the pioneers is exactly that, their faith not hers. She wants to believe but all the struggles in life keep pushing her the other way. She has trials, including the love kind, and wonders if God really does answer prayers.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Before I read it, the Logan temple already had a special place in my heart because I was married there, but this book really brought it to life. I just couldn't put it down. I really identified with the characters, and felt myself transported to the scene every time I opened the book.
This is the 2nd book I've read by Annette, and I've loved them both so much, it makes want to go out and buy the rest and read them right now!!

[Linda Trionfo · Rating 4 out of 5]

listened on CD and I enjoyed it, the main girl struggles post pioneer days in Logan Utah, while all are building the Logan Temple she falls in Love with "Gentile". she does not have a testimony and struggles with her relationship to God and her Family and what she thinks is "blind Faith", Its an inspiring book about testimony and in those times you just did not deny things out loud. Flowed well for me and kept my interest, I will read more of her books.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been torn between giving this two or three stars. There were a few parts in the book that really held my attention, but overall it was just ok.

The story included a love triangle. Those pretty much mean for an unhappy ending (at least for the one who isn't picked). I really didn't care for the "resolution" for the shafted guy. He didn't find his own happiness, and was still dwelling on the girl. Blah.

[Angee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. Didn't really draw me in--I could put it down if got interrupted. It still had a good story-line: the conflict between love and the Gospel, especially seeing how the main character (Lizzy) developed her testimony. I did enjoy learning the history surrounding the building of the Logan Temple. And I LOVED the ending--how Lyon took fiction and history and combined them. Really cool! I will read the next one.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was set back in the 1870s when the Logan Temple was just being built. Many of the characters worked on the temple. Because of one tragedy after another Lizzy Sullivan struggles with the church in her life. She gets involved with an Indian boy who is not a member and this stresses her family out. Many events happen so mostly it holds your attention. I did not love it, but enjoyed it for the most part.

[Emmeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a good book and i loved it. I could realate alot of it in my life. I just thought that it was so sad at times. I counted the people who dies, which is 7 people, and it just makes me sad to think about that it was like that back in the day when the Saints crossed the plains. I really liked Joshua athough i fell bad about Abe. Anyway over all, I really liked it.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of historial fiction centering around the building of the Logan temple, but it is mostly just references to the current events surrounding the story line. Love story, mixed with questioning of faith and testimony. I liked it. Wished there was more in the ending though--just wanting more is all :)

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I enjoyed this LDS historical fiction mostly because of my connections to Logan Temple with my grandparents, parents being married there. It was interesting to read about the building of the temple. But the emphasis of this book is about the love triangle between the main characters.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actually I'd give this book a 2.5. The plot was a bit predictable along with the ending. The story was slightly more entertaining than most LDS fiction which I find to be just a little too cutesy for my taste. It wouldn't be a bad book for LDS teens who like the cutesy romance stuff though.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like church historical fiction so I can learn about times and places. This is about the building of the Logan Temple, which was meaningful to me since my parents grew up there and were sealed there. I found the storyline a little lacking but it was a sweet book.