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Rescue River #6
A Family for Easter
Too different to fall in love?
In Rescue River, anything can happen...
When wealthy single mom Fiona Farmingham rents her carriage house to widowed Eduardo Delgado, it's purely in friendship. Insecure over her late husband's betrayal, Fiona hides her attraction to the humble landscaper. Between them they have six children, two dogs--and a world of differences. But with half a dozen little matchmakers involved, can they find the courage to reach for happiness once more?
In Rescue River, anything can happen...
When wealthy single mom Fiona Farmingham rents her carriage house to widowed Eduardo Delgado, it's purely in friendship. Insecure over her late husband's betrayal, Fiona hides her attraction to the humble landscaper. Between them they have six children, two dogs--and a world of differences. But with half a dozen little matchmakers involved, can they find the courage to reach for happiness once more?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 20, 2018
56 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Lee Tobin McClain
175 books529 followersNew York Times bestselling author of emotional, heartwarming romances. Visit http://www.leetobinmcclain.com to join newsletter, get book release details, and find out more.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
did-not-finish
April 17, 2023DNF @ the start of chapter 3 / page 33.
I think all the cute rom-coms I’ve been reading may have ruined me for Love Inspired books. 🤷🏻♀️ The dialogue felt forced and Fiona was super self-conscious about her weight (and starts comparing herself to his late, tiny wife quickly). I don’t know, there was just different things that made this book feel off to me and I have too many other books to read. Based on other reviews, I don't think I'm missing anything....
No content really to note besides Fiona thinking about her weight (including a dressin’ down from her mother and a few comments by a man on a date); Fiona’s late husband had a double life; Noticing (including muscles); Mentions of deaths & grieving; Mentions of fires; A mention of drinking and drugs.
I think all the cute rom-coms I’ve been reading may have ruined me for Love Inspired books. 🤷🏻♀️ The dialogue felt forced and Fiona was super self-conscious about her weight (and starts comparing herself to his late, tiny wife quickly). I don’t know, there was just different things that made this book feel off to me and I have too many other books to read. Based on other reviews, I don't think I'm missing anything....
No content really to note besides Fiona thinking about her weight (including a dressin’ down from her mother and a few comments by a man on a date); Fiona’s late husband had a double life; Noticing (including muscles); Mentions of deaths & grieving; Mentions of fires; A mention of drinking and drugs.
March 5, 2018
A well done story of two single parents learning to get past their difficulties and opening up to the possibility of love again. I liked the MCs and their kids, who weren't overly perfect or too cutesy. I enjoyed the fact that our MCs come from different backgrounds but had enough in common to make me believe in them as a couple. I also liked their attitudes as parents and how they handled their kids. The story did a good job of focusing on the relationship and I thought the ups and downs were pretty realistic.
There were a few little things I didn't like - her mother's about-face was too quick for me to believe. And I think if you're going to write about an MC with weigh issues it's fine to actually let her be overweight; I got the feeling she wasn't really. Plus, this was the first book in the series I've read and clearly her friends had their own backstory that I felt didn't make a lot of sense and distracted me some. So I have to give the book 4 stars over all. I picked it up because of the pretty cover that shouted SPRING! and enjoyed the story behind the cover quite a lot. This is my first time with this author but I'll look for her again.
There were a few little things I didn't like - her mother's about-face was too quick for me to believe. And I think if you're going to write about an MC with weigh issues it's fine to actually let her be overweight; I got the feeling she wasn't really. Plus, this was the first book in the series I've read and clearly her friends had their own backstory that I felt didn't make a lot of sense and distracted me some. So I have to give the book 4 stars over all. I picked it up because of the pretty cover that shouted SPRING! and enjoyed the story behind the cover quite a lot. This is my first time with this author but I'll look for her again.
April 20, 2018
This was my first experience with Harlequin's Love Inspired line, as well as the first book I've read by Lee Tobin McClain. I admit, what drew me to the book was the title; being one of those readers (i.e. someone who likes to match what they're reading with the change of the seasons or specific holidays) I jumped at the chance at reading a romance around Easter. With so many Christmas/holiday-themed romances, poor Easter often gets overlooked. Well, honestly, with the exception of a mention here or there that it was spring (in a place that seemed to be perpetually spring-like all the time) and one little mention that the heroine was partaking in a Lenten bible study, you honestly wouldn't know this was a story set around the Easter holiday save for the title. BUT THAT ISN'T THE POINT, is it? The point of this book is ROMANCE, specifically the romance between Fiona Farmingham, a well-to-do widow with four children, and Eduardo Delgado, a working-class widower with two children of his own, but who is doing very well for himself, financially speaking, although he is by no means on the same "level" of economic stability the way Fiona is, and that does become a plot point.
**a few Easter eggs filled with spoilers, ahoy!**
Fiona and Eduardo know each other through their children, who play soccer together (at school, the local park district, it's not clear but in the end, it's not really that important). Fiona has four children and Eduardo has two, and both have lost a spouse. However, Eduardo's wife died from cancer and is very much missed by her husband and children, whereas Fiona's husband died from...honestly, I can't remember what, but he isn't as missed, at least not by his wife, as we quickly learn that Fiona's husband was not only cheating on her with another woman, but was leading "another life" with said woman, and had a second family with her as well. It should be noted that this book is part of a Love Inspired series called "Rescue River" and A Family For Easter is the last book. I mention this because you get the impression that Fiona learned all of this several books back, and has been dealing with terrible truth for quite some time. Also, Fiona has several close friends who clearly had their own romances taking place in previous books, but I would still say you could read this story as a stand-alone.
Both Fiona and Eduardo are trying to get "back on the saddle" in terms of dating (not with each other...yet) but nothing has been successful. However, the two do clearly share an attraction for one another, but try to suppress it by focusing their whole being on being a parent to their children. One night, there's a fire at Eduardo's house, and he and the children need to find a new place to stay. Fiona offers her carriage house, which has been converted into living quarters, but so as not to "wound" Eduardo's pride on the offer of charity, also hires him to do a landscaping makeover for her garden. Eduardo agrees, albeit reluctantly, mainly because he feels slightly guilty for his growing attraction to a woman who isn't his wife. As they spend more and more time in each other's company, that attraction grows into something deeper, but both are constantly waging an inner war within themselves about whether or not it is "right" for them to pursue a relationship with the other, rather than focus entirely on their own children. Plus, Eduardo worries that he can't measure up to Fiona's wealthy world.
The positives for this book do outweigh the negatives; I appreciated the diversity the author provided with her characters, as well as touching on some sensitive topics, such as discrimination Eduardo and his children face by others (namely, Fiona's mother) in terms of culture, income, and citizenship. Eduardo was definitely my favorite, and I applauded his parenting skills (not that Fiona was a bad mother, not at all, but I think I found myself relating to Eduardo a bit more since I too grew up in a more working class/lower middle class setting). And the children were written in a very realistic manner, I found; not overly cute, but not little hellions either. They got along for the most part, but they did once in a while have big fights over the littlest thing, before quickly forgiving each other and moving on an hour or two later. And while neither Eduardo or Fiona were "perfect parents", they both tried their hardest and it showed.
The negatives are mainly in two places. One, as is often the case in romance novels, miscommunication rears its ugly head and attempts to cause mayhem and mischief with our hero and heroine's affections. This sadly happens several times during the story, and it became very tedious. Eduardo needs to work on thickening his skin where his pride is concerned, and Fiona needs to grow a backbone and speak up for herself. . The other negative is length. Honestly, this book could have been much, much shorter. Some of the conflicts that arose in the middle felt pointless and I found added little to the romantic plot. Basically, I felt that the author was just trying to fill space and could have edited a good 30-40% and we still would have gotten the crux of the story.
But as I mentioned before, the positives in the end do outweigh the negatives, and it was very refreshing to see an inspy-romance that wasn't entirely white-washed, as is sadly often the case with the genre. 3 stars
**a few Easter eggs filled with spoilers, ahoy!**
Fiona and Eduardo know each other through their children, who play soccer together (at school, the local park district, it's not clear but in the end, it's not really that important). Fiona has four children and Eduardo has two, and both have lost a spouse. However, Eduardo's wife died from cancer and is very much missed by her husband and children, whereas Fiona's husband died from...honestly, I can't remember what, but he isn't as missed, at least not by his wife, as we quickly learn that Fiona's husband was not only cheating on her with another woman, but was leading "another life" with said woman, and had a second family with her as well. It should be noted that this book is part of a Love Inspired series called "Rescue River" and A Family For Easter is the last book. I mention this because you get the impression that Fiona learned all of this several books back, and has been dealing with terrible truth for quite some time. Also, Fiona has several close friends who clearly had their own romances taking place in previous books, but I would still say you could read this story as a stand-alone.
Both Fiona and Eduardo are trying to get "back on the saddle" in terms of dating (not with each other...yet) but nothing has been successful. However, the two do clearly share an attraction for one another, but try to suppress it by focusing their whole being on being a parent to their children. One night, there's a fire at Eduardo's house, and he and the children need to find a new place to stay. Fiona offers her carriage house, which has been converted into living quarters, but so as not to "wound" Eduardo's pride on the offer of charity, also hires him to do a landscaping makeover for her garden. Eduardo agrees, albeit reluctantly, mainly because he feels slightly guilty for his growing attraction to a woman who isn't his wife. As they spend more and more time in each other's company, that attraction grows into something deeper, but both are constantly waging an inner war within themselves about whether or not it is "right" for them to pursue a relationship with the other, rather than focus entirely on their own children. Plus, Eduardo worries that he can't measure up to Fiona's wealthy world.
The positives for this book do outweigh the negatives; I appreciated the diversity the author provided with her characters, as well as touching on some sensitive topics, such as discrimination Eduardo and his children face by others (namely, Fiona's mother) in terms of culture, income, and citizenship. Eduardo was definitely my favorite, and I applauded his parenting skills (not that Fiona was a bad mother, not at all, but I think I found myself relating to Eduardo a bit more since I too grew up in a more working class/lower middle class setting). And the children were written in a very realistic manner, I found; not overly cute, but not little hellions either. They got along for the most part, but they did once in a while have big fights over the littlest thing, before quickly forgiving each other and moving on an hour or two later. And while neither Eduardo or Fiona were "perfect parents", they both tried their hardest and it showed.
The negatives are mainly in two places. One, as is often the case in romance novels, miscommunication rears its ugly head and attempts to cause mayhem and mischief with our hero and heroine's affections. This sadly happens several times during the story, and it became very tedious. Eduardo needs to work on thickening his skin where his pride is concerned, and Fiona needs to grow a backbone and speak up for herself. . The other negative is length. Honestly, this book could have been much, much shorter. Some of the conflicts that arose in the middle felt pointless and I found added little to the romantic plot. Basically, I felt that the author was just trying to fill space and could have edited a good 30-40% and we still would have gotten the crux of the story.
But as I mentioned before, the positives in the end do outweigh the negatives, and it was very refreshing to see an inspy-romance that wasn't entirely white-washed, as is sadly often the case with the genre. 3 stars
January 12, 2018
I read this whole story in one day. Started on the 10 th and finished that same night. The story revolves around looking at people not just on their looks on the outside but inside also and just because someone looks different
February 17, 2018
I loved this beautiful romance about second chances.
Other than those cute six kids, I enjoyed the story line of diversity body image and the fact that we are God's creation.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romance.
An ARC was given to me by author. My opinions are 100% my own.
Other than those cute six kids, I enjoyed the story line of diversity body image and the fact that we are God's creation.
This book is recommended for those who love Christian romance.
An ARC was given to me by author. My opinions are 100% my own.
February 20, 2018
Lee Tobin McClain always writes wonderful stories brimming with a believable and engaging plot, memorable main characters, cute children that melt your heart, and an encouraging faith-filled theme that speaks to every Christian. This book is no exception. I have not read any other books in the author's Rescue River series but didn't feel that I missed anything. This can be read as a stand-alone book with some secondary characters who were probably introduced in the previous books or will be introduced in the next books of the series. Anyone who enjoys contemporary Christian romance will enjoy this book.
Fiona is a young widow with four children under the age of ten, struggling to rise above her low self-esteem from being too tall, too heavy, and betrayed by her late husband. She is a kind, gentle, loving soul who has always been told that she's not smart, not pretty, and just not good enough. Eduardo is a young widower with two children of his own (similar in age to Fiona's older two), struggling to rise above the grief of his beloved wife's death and his perceived inadequacy in being the provider and protector. He is a loyal, kind, thoughtful, loving, gentle man who unfortunately sometimes acts before thinking or praying but can admit fault and ask for forgiveness without a grudge. Circumstances and well-meaning friends/neighbors/children throw them together but they each need to learn who they are in Christ first before they understand what they mean to each other. Fiona and Eduardo's journey in really accepting who they are in God is heartfelt. All the six children are lovable and endearing. The life lessons they learn are hard ones, but they learn them with grace and reminded me of how I should handle life's curveballs with grace and humility.
I was given a copy of this book by the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Fiona is a young widow with four children under the age of ten, struggling to rise above her low self-esteem from being too tall, too heavy, and betrayed by her late husband. She is a kind, gentle, loving soul who has always been told that she's not smart, not pretty, and just not good enough. Eduardo is a young widower with two children of his own (similar in age to Fiona's older two), struggling to rise above the grief of his beloved wife's death and his perceived inadequacy in being the provider and protector. He is a loyal, kind, thoughtful, loving, gentle man who unfortunately sometimes acts before thinking or praying but can admit fault and ask for forgiveness without a grudge. Circumstances and well-meaning friends/neighbors/children throw them together but they each need to learn who they are in Christ first before they understand what they mean to each other. Fiona and Eduardo's journey in really accepting who they are in God is heartfelt. All the six children are lovable and endearing. The life lessons they learn are hard ones, but they learn them with grace and reminded me of how I should handle life's curveballs with grace and humility.
I was given a copy of this book by the author. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
March 20, 2018
A Family For Easter is a touching book. You have a widow who owns a house and she needs to rent it and she does to Eduardo. Now Fiona has children and so does Eduardo and the house is filling up. The totality of the children are 6 - can you imagine? I can, my parents had a large family and it was great. Plus two dogs and so did they - that is why I love this book - just like home - anywho the matchmakers (all six of them ) where sure trying hard and maybe the parents too, but this is fun and loving and GOD is so good, having to teach two people to trust again and trust in love again as well. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
If you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to chrisitanlybookreviewes.blogspot.com
If you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to chrisitanlybookreviewes.blogspot.com
February 23, 2018
I totally loved this book, the first book in the Rescue River series!! It is an awesome read. The characters are realistic with their low self-esteem and guilt feelings. I loved the inter-action of the children that is also realistic. Wealthy single mom, Fiona Farmingham, rents her carriage house to widowed Eduardo Delgado, the attractive humble landscaper with two children. Fiona has four child and is insecure over her late husband’s betrayal. She hides her attraction to Eduardo. Between them they have six children, two dogs, and a world of differences. In Rescue River, where anything can happen and with half a dozen little matchmakers, seniors, and friends involved, can they find the courage to reach for happiness once more? Or are they too different to fall in love?
.
.
March 11, 2018
I am a fan of Love Inspired books and this one did not disappoint. I am amazed at how much is packed into this 220 page book! A Family for Easter is a great story which touches on several important topics. It was fun to watch Fiona's four children and Eduardo's two children meld together. Eduardo is hesitant to get romantically involved with Fiona because of how financially well off she is. That is something I liked about this book - the heroine was financially secure, instead of a wealthy hero saving a struggling single mom. If you like contemporary Christian fiction, especially fiction with a little depth, I highly recommend this book.
April 27, 2018
This book of Rescue River is a sweet fun clean romance read. Wealthy single mom, Fiona Farmingham, rents her carriage house to widowed Eduardo Delgado purely in friendship. Her late husband’s betrayal causes her to be insecure so Fiona hides her attraction to the humble landscaper. With six children, two dogs—and a world of differences between them they have, they have half a dozen little matchmakers involved. cCan they find the courage to reach for happiness once more? Is it too difficult to fall in love in Rescue River where anything can happen?
I was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
February 20, 2018
A story of a second chance at love. Both Fiona and Eduardo had loved and lost before and this was the story of taking chances and risking hearts to love again. The children in this story is what makes it so special. There are 6 children and each has been well developed in the story. As I read the story I saw single parents doing the best they could with the circumstances to raise children who treated people with respect and who were kind and caring to each other. This was refreshing and how I want to raise my children. A feel good love story that warmed my heart.
April 12, 2018
This blogger/reviewer still says that really talented authors should NOT write these what I call novellas. This was the first book that I have read by this author, but it will not be my last.
I did not like Fiona's mom could not get past her black ugly heart but the rest of the characters were loveable and made this book a good one. I read it in one sitting. I gave this book 4 stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I did not like Fiona's mom could not get past her black ugly heart but the rest of the characters were loveable and made this book a good one. I read it in one sitting. I gave this book 4 stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
February 24, 2018
A Family For Easter a Rescue River series by Lee Tobin McClain. Single mom Fiona Farmingham has four children. Her husband had cheated on her before his death. Now Fiona doesn't trust men. Plus her mom has always told her she should lose weight and she was too tall. Widowed Eduardo Delgado with two children rents the cottage nest to Fiona's house. Love does happen between them all.
February 21, 2018
I loved this book. It has it all. Up and down confusion romance, miscommunication, pride, money, poor self image. All this makes it a terrific book. How Fiona and Eduardo work things out makes for a great story line.
I received an advance copy of this book. This review is my own opinion.
I received an advance copy of this book. This review is my own opinion.
March 8, 2018
Great stoey
A good story: engaging, meet characters from earlier books, a treatise on how differences can be compelling in relationships.
This story contains a theme of female independence, both in & outside of relationships.
A good story: engaging, meet characters from earlier books, a treatise on how differences can be compelling in relationships.
This story contains a theme of female independence, both in & outside of relationships.
May 26, 2019
Cute short story about two single parents seeking love. It addresses topics like body image issues, racism and other struggles that parents of different lifestyles might encounter throughout this book, without ever getting heavy.
I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed it.
September 2, 2023
What a sweet book with a powerful message! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fiona and Eduardo’s love story and how they teach their children Christian morals, body positivity, and how racism is not acceptable. I really like the warm glow this story left in my heart. :)
April 1, 2024
This is a very interesting and intriguing storyline that deals with the fun and hardships of blended families. I love and admired both Finoa and Eduardo strength to continue to work and take care of their family, calmly. Highly recommend
August 15, 2018
Wonderful story! :)
March 1, 2019
Another winner in the series!
August 4, 2020
So predictable, but happy that she finally tied up this series
May 21, 2021
Really liked this Christian book, romantic without all the nitty gritty sex. Family oriented
March 10, 2024
Eduardo & Fiona
March 30, 2024
Such a heartwarming story, loved how the story portrayed healing & setting boundaries with family.
June 17, 2018
I enjoyed this relatively stress-free romance. A man who is second-generation Mexican American needs a place to stay with his kids after their rented home goes on fire. A lady who likes him a lot around town invites him to make use of the coach house on her property. He's a gardening contractor and she could benefit from having someone like that around, as well as playmates for her own kids. But would it be wrong for this widowed lady to get too close with her tenant and employee?
Difficult decisions lie ahead for the adults, though kids seem to be much better at this kind of dilemma. The lady is also a bit insecure and this has led to eating too much, so now she has a body image problem too. Not to mention the adults have some parent problems. The tale could be said to be about redemption and new beginnings, appropriate for Eastertime, and normal people with normal lives are well portrayed which may help some readers to re-examine their own lives. This romance is suitable for anyone from teens to adults.
I downloaded an ARC through Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
Difficult decisions lie ahead for the adults, though kids seem to be much better at this kind of dilemma. The lady is also a bit insecure and this has led to eating too much, so now she has a body image problem too. Not to mention the adults have some parent problems. The tale could be said to be about redemption and new beginnings, appropriate for Eastertime, and normal people with normal lives are well portrayed which may help some readers to re-examine their own lives. This romance is suitable for anyone from teens to adults.
I downloaded an ARC through Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews