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The Early Years: A Memoir
Author Rachel G. Carrington lays no claim to lofty jobs, higher education, nor grand accomplishments except for a love-filled, multifaceted, family-oriented, poverty-to-plenty life. In The Early Years, the first in a series, she shares her story.
As a young teenager, just entering high school in the small town of Denton, Kentucky, Carrington planned to attend college and become a teacher. With coursework geared toward college attendance, she was offered a lucrative scholarship that would help her to attain her goal. However, it took only a single event to send her down a different path. She met a returned World War II veteran who was attempting to pick up the pieces after finding his marriage in irreparable shambles and his children gone. As he struggled, Carrington was there, and they pulled together to clear the many hurdles before them.
In this memoir, she tells the story of their journey and how their love and dedication for each other kept moving them forward. Filled with the joys, disappointments, and struggles of a couple, The Early Years narrates how the love of the heavenly Father was the continuous thread that bound Carringtons life together.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2015
9 people are currently reading
1120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 14, 2016
This is the book that you wish your parents had written for. While this book won't be for everyone, Rachel Carrington chronicals life in rural Kentucky, growing up in the 40's. Honest depiction with lovable characters.
September 3, 2021
What would you do if your 16-year-old daughter wanted to date a married man nine years older and who has three children? Probably the same thing the author's parents did. Forbid her to see him. But after graduating from high school, she ran away to his folks' home. His wife had left him, but he made it clear that any other woman he married would need to accept his children.
Well, that's exactly what happened. After his divorce, the two of them married and commenced having more children. He helped his new wife grow up, even encouraging her to reconcile with her parents. It's an amazing love story that lasted for decades.
Well, that's exactly what happened. After his divorce, the two of them married and commenced having more children. He helped his new wife grow up, even encouraging her to reconcile with her parents. It's an amazing love story that lasted for decades.
March 4, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
I could not read this book. Everyone has a story but that does not mean others want to read it. Too slow and choppy for me.
I could not read this book. Everyone has a story but that does not mean others want to read it. Too slow and choppy for me.
February 27, 2017
I just could not continue reading this book. It may be of interest to others, but it is not to me.
October 29, 2016
It was very interesting to read about Rachel Carrington's life growing up in the 1940's. The eldest of 11 children, Rachel falls in love with a married man, Brad, when she is only 16 year old. Brad has filed for divorce and has 2 young children and another on the way and Rachel's parents do not see him as the good, loving, hardworking person that she sees. After arriving home late one evening, Rachel's parents lock her out and she decides to leave home, staying at Brad's parents home until they leave for Cincinnati where he has secured a job and she can look for work. When his divorce is finalised, Brad and Rachel marry and he wins custody of his 3 children. Brad and Rachel also have 4 children of their own.
This book shows how the love in God and the devotion Rachel and Brad had for each other helped them to get over the many hurdles they faced in the late 40's and early 50's whilst they were trying to set up home and bring their children up. It was inspiring to read that Rachel treated all the children as her own and Brad carried out several jobs to ensure his family were well provided for.
Looking forward to Rachel's follow up book Dreams Born; Dreams Fulfilled which continues on with her story.
This book shows how the love in God and the devotion Rachel and Brad had for each other helped them to get over the many hurdles they faced in the late 40's and early 50's whilst they were trying to set up home and bring their children up. It was inspiring to read that Rachel treated all the children as her own and Brad carried out several jobs to ensure his family were well provided for.
Looking forward to Rachel's follow up book Dreams Born; Dreams Fulfilled which continues on with her story.
September 20, 2016
This is the most enjoyable memoir of Rachel Carrington in her early years. She grows up in Kentucky and is very studious as a young girl. Her plans are to teach and she wins a full scolarship to achieve her goals. However, life happens and she falls in love @ sixteen and wants to marry and have a family. She is raised by very strict parents and chooses to run away as they will not approve her marriage. The story continues with their ups and downs as sweethearts and then husband and wife.They struggle with money, relationships, and raising children. Is an interesting and fun read and I eagerly await the second book. Thanks to Goodreads and Ms. Carrington for sharing her life story.
August 12, 2016
I got this book from a goodreads giveaway, but here is my honest review :
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I wasn't expecting much since memoir aren't my favorite genre, but I was caught by the adventures of Rachel and her family. It was interesting to learn how was life in the 40'. I also appreciated the very short chapters that dynamized the reading.
Finally, I can only say how I wished my grandmother had Mrs Carrington talent for writing and had bequeathed a book on her story (the story of the family) to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I wasn't expecting much since memoir aren't my favorite genre, but I was caught by the adventures of Rachel and her family. It was interesting to learn how was life in the 40'. I also appreciated the very short chapters that dynamized the reading.
Finally, I can only say how I wished my grandmother had Mrs Carrington talent for writing and had bequeathed a book on her story (the story of the family) to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
November 13, 2016
I expected more from this book.
I couldn't wait to start reading. A memoir that starts out in a rural setting during the late 1940's, as seen through the eyes of a young girl coming of age. It promised a story of a love so strong, so amazing that she gave up a lucrative scholarship to college to be with the man she loved. But the chapters were short and read like a very condensed journal. There were hints of good writing. I wanted more from this book. I wanted more substance. I set down at the table expecting a hearty meal and was served a cup of broth instead.
I couldn't wait to start reading. A memoir that starts out in a rural setting during the late 1940's, as seen through the eyes of a young girl coming of age. It promised a story of a love so strong, so amazing that she gave up a lucrative scholarship to college to be with the man she loved. But the chapters were short and read like a very condensed journal. There were hints of good writing. I wanted more from this book. I wanted more substance. I set down at the table expecting a hearty meal and was served a cup of broth instead.
December 6, 2016
I received this book as a giveaway through Goodreads. Thank you!
This is a journal of a woman reminiscing about her younger years. I wasn't exactly sure why I wanted to read this book and yet I did find it interesting enough to hold my attention throughout. I usually read YA fiction or self improvement, so this was a nice change. There were times that the author wandered off track or seriously jumped time periods, but for the most part, the writing was a sweet collection of memories that made for an enjoyable read.
This is a journal of a woman reminiscing about her younger years. I wasn't exactly sure why I wanted to read this book and yet I did find it interesting enough to hold my attention throughout. I usually read YA fiction or self improvement, so this was a nice change. There were times that the author wandered off track or seriously jumped time periods, but for the most part, the writing was a sweet collection of memories that made for an enjoyable read.
November 25, 2016
A pleasant enough read well written.
I got a bit fed up of her calling her husband "my beloved".
I cannot really see the point of writing your own life story & there is also another book to come.
She did not seem to have a mind of her own & relied on her husband too much, in my opinion.
I got a bit fed up of her calling her husband "my beloved".
I cannot really see the point of writing your own life story & there is also another book to come.
She did not seem to have a mind of her own & relied on her husband too much, in my opinion.
July 20, 2016
Read it as soon as I got it! Love it!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews