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The Gold Shoe
Wealthy, spoiled Tasha Endicott likes to have fun, and nothing is going to make her miss the party at her friend's magnificent country estate. But the blizzard that rages outside is more than she had bargained for. When she is abandoned at a deserted train station, Tasha's search for a good time becomes a desperate search for survival. Then, just as she begins to lose consciousness, Tasha hears the voice of a stranger--a voice that beckons her to a life she never even dreamed existed. Grace Livingston Hill is the beloved author of more than 100 books. Read and enjoyed by millions, her wholesome stories contain adventure, romance, and the heartwarming triumphs of people faced with the problems of life and love.
259 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1930
70 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
572 books564 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 26, 2020
This one was just too sweet. A young socialite, lonely and tired of the whirl of life, meets a young minister during a snowstorm. Meeting his delightful Scotch mother Margot and seeing the humble, warm little home changes something in Tasha's perspective. This is the story of how Tasha finds meaning in life and how she finds a true home.
January 3, 2024
Second Rating: Same as before / 5
I am delighted with this read as my first read of the new year. It's just as charming the second time around as it is the first! However, this time I am holding back my rating not because of Mrs. Macdonald's troubles with Hesba--which weren't that bad, reading through them yet again--but instead because I just wish that I could have gotten more scenes with Tasha and Thurly together. Not even romantic scenes, necessarily, but just more scenes with them interacting with one another. Again, still a lovely romance all in all and a definite re-read in the future, but the romantic in me can't help but sigh longingly for more.
Happy New Year 2024!
Rating: 4.4 / 5
As far as having its own aspect that makes it unique from other Grace Livingston Hill works, I think this one best captures the nature of change and the bringing of one into faith as concerns the heroines of Hill's stories. Tasha Endicott, by all accounts, fits more into the persona of the jealous love rivals of the heroines in her other novels, the one who wears makeup, smokes, drinks, and otherwise is only interested in having a good time and making men fall madly for her. However, Hill gives her the one redeeming quality of being open to change and growing increasingly skeptical about her own world, which is the only world she's ever known. A chance encounter with Thurly Macdonald, a young soon-to-be minister who rescues her from freezing in a snowstorm, is the beginning of this change, and I think all of it is written really well.
In the end, though this is I think one of the better written stories of redemption from Hill--along with The Finding of Jasper Holt, which still trumps all--I have decided nevertheless to downgrade it by one star (rounded down) because it gets a bit lengthy and a tad tedious in describing poor Mrs. Macdonald's difficulties with her houseguest. If that part of the story had been shortened just a bit, I would deem this a perfect read as well. All in all though, it's an extremely pleasant story, and one that I will look forward to reading again in the future!
I am delighted with this read as my first read of the new year. It's just as charming the second time around as it is the first! However, this time I am holding back my rating not because of Mrs. Macdonald's troubles with Hesba--which weren't that bad, reading through them yet again--but instead because I just wish that I could have gotten more scenes with Tasha and Thurly together. Not even romantic scenes, necessarily, but just more scenes with them interacting with one another. Again, still a lovely romance all in all and a definite re-read in the future, but the romantic in me can't help but sigh longingly for more.
Happy New Year 2024!
Rating: 4.4 / 5
As far as having its own aspect that makes it unique from other Grace Livingston Hill works, I think this one best captures the nature of change and the bringing of one into faith as concerns the heroines of Hill's stories. Tasha Endicott, by all accounts, fits more into the persona of the jealous love rivals of the heroines in her other novels, the one who wears makeup, smokes, drinks, and otherwise is only interested in having a good time and making men fall madly for her. However, Hill gives her the one redeeming quality of being open to change and growing increasingly skeptical about her own world, which is the only world she's ever known. A chance encounter with Thurly Macdonald, a young soon-to-be minister who rescues her from freezing in a snowstorm, is the beginning of this change, and I think all of it is written really well.
In the end, though this is I think one of the better written stories of redemption from Hill--along with The Finding of Jasper Holt, which still trumps all--I have decided nevertheless to downgrade it by one star (rounded down) because it gets a bit lengthy and a tad tedious in describing poor Mrs. Macdonald's difficulties with her houseguest. If that part of the story had been shortened just a bit, I would deem this a perfect read as well. All in all though, it's an extremely pleasant story, and one that I will look forward to reading again in the future!
October 13, 2014
Grace Litvingston Hill is one of my favorite authors and this book was so cute. This was her Cinderella story, and a very nice retelling it was.
As always, Hill is not ashamed of her faith or standards. Some people might not like how she paints right and wrong as black and white, but I love it. Her books always inspire me to draw closer to God.
As always, Hill is not ashamed of her faith or standards. Some people might not like how she paints right and wrong as black and white, but I love it. Her books always inspire me to draw closer to God.
October 15, 2025
DNF after 7 chapters. I had no interest in reading more and didn't care for the characters at all. There wasn't anything wrong with what I read, it just wasn't something I wanted to read.
June 4, 2013
I have discovered a book that is absolutely priceless. What is it about? Finding Jesus through a football player's love.
“The Gold Shoe” by Grace Livingston Hill was published in 1930 and probably should have stayed unread since then. I bought it in a used book-store because I was struck by the beautiful art deco cover (a man in a suit kneeling at the feet of a lady dressed in 30s style outfit, putting a shoe on her foot), and because of the following summary line on the flap jacket: “The simple cottage, the lovely old mother, the family prayers and Thurly, the football player, who was so strong-and so gentle! How empty and meaningless her old life, the cigarettes and the cocktails seemed!” I knew then I simply had to have that gem.
Little did I know this was even a bigger treat. On the back it indicated that Ms. Hill was a writer of wholesome romances. I googled her later that day to find out that are many websites for her, usually with many mentions of "Jesus Christ Our Savior", thus “wholesome” is a code word for “religious to the nth degree.” It’s apparently a pretty accepted usage, but I had no idea, not being the core audience for this lady.
Anyway, on with the story.
Plot: Tasha Endicott, a young socialite, meets and falls for Thurly the Preacher, who lives with his dear old Mom. She finds Jesus under his guidance and becomes a good little zombie herself. The "good" characters in this novel are the kind of people who would bitch at Jerry Falwell for ungodly laxness and slackness, and probably, since this is set in 1930, were the kind of people waving plackards at the Scopes trial. This is the kind of book where people refer to Tasha as “worldling”
Samples from the book (if you think I am exaggerating):
“But Thurly Macdonald was built of sterner stuff than most men, and he had the fear of God ever before him. He still knew Tasha Endicott was not one he should kiss, and he still could feel the strength of a Power higher than his own weak flesh.”
Hesba (bad woman) and Marget (good woman) discussing money for the Heathen:
Hesba: “What would it [money] do? Why feed them, and send them to school and put decent clothes on their back, and teach them to be respectable citizens in the world.’
Marget: “Is that all?”
Hesba: “All? What more do you want? Isn’t that about all one needs in life?”
Marget: “I was thinking you might be saying it [money] would send the knowledge of the Lord Jesus to them.”
Hesba: “Oh that! Of course that goes too. But they have to live you know. They have to have food and clothes.”
Marget: “You think that comes first?”
This is priceless. If only it was a parody! I had the best time reading this.
The second book of hers in the store had a bit about a man rushing to save his beloved from being in those dreadfully amoral “moving pictures.” The silent kind, where there isn’t even any kissing. But hey, movies are the work of the devil.
Ms. Hill, rock on with your wholesome self. But far far far away from me!
“The Gold Shoe” by Grace Livingston Hill was published in 1930 and probably should have stayed unread since then. I bought it in a used book-store because I was struck by the beautiful art deco cover (a man in a suit kneeling at the feet of a lady dressed in 30s style outfit, putting a shoe on her foot), and because of the following summary line on the flap jacket: “The simple cottage, the lovely old mother, the family prayers and Thurly, the football player, who was so strong-and so gentle! How empty and meaningless her old life, the cigarettes and the cocktails seemed!” I knew then I simply had to have that gem.
Little did I know this was even a bigger treat. On the back it indicated that Ms. Hill was a writer of wholesome romances. I googled her later that day to find out that are many websites for her, usually with many mentions of "Jesus Christ Our Savior", thus “wholesome” is a code word for “religious to the nth degree.” It’s apparently a pretty accepted usage, but I had no idea, not being the core audience for this lady.
Anyway, on with the story.
Plot: Tasha Endicott, a young socialite, meets and falls for Thurly the Preacher, who lives with his dear old Mom. She finds Jesus under his guidance and becomes a good little zombie herself. The "good" characters in this novel are the kind of people who would bitch at Jerry Falwell for ungodly laxness and slackness, and probably, since this is set in 1930, were the kind of people waving plackards at the Scopes trial. This is the kind of book where people refer to Tasha as “worldling”
Samples from the book (if you think I am exaggerating):
“But Thurly Macdonald was built of sterner stuff than most men, and he had the fear of God ever before him. He still knew Tasha Endicott was not one he should kiss, and he still could feel the strength of a Power higher than his own weak flesh.”
Hesba (bad woman) and Marget (good woman) discussing money for the Heathen:
Hesba: “What would it [money] do? Why feed them, and send them to school and put decent clothes on their back, and teach them to be respectable citizens in the world.’
Marget: “Is that all?”
Hesba: “All? What more do you want? Isn’t that about all one needs in life?”
Marget: “I was thinking you might be saying it [money] would send the knowledge of the Lord Jesus to them.”
Hesba: “Oh that! Of course that goes too. But they have to live you know. They have to have food and clothes.”
Marget: “You think that comes first?”
This is priceless. If only it was a parody! I had the best time reading this.
The second book of hers in the store had a bit about a man rushing to save his beloved from being in those dreadfully amoral “moving pictures.” The silent kind, where there isn’t even any kissing. But hey, movies are the work of the devil.
Ms. Hill, rock on with your wholesome self. But far far far away from me!
December 10, 2013
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Spoiled debutante Tasha Endicott is not at all happy when she is stranded at the train station because of a blizzard, but maybe being stranded at the home of Thurly Macdonald is just what she needs. It is sure be a challenge. But the thing that is so different is the fact that this book was written when romance, dating and just about everything was different. And The culture differences between Tasha and Thurly was really, really different. I so much enjoyed Tasha being brought down a bit in the way she lived. And an attraction couldn’t be between the two of them, could it? Not with the high society young lady Tasha Endicott.
This books was just plain fun for me to read. This story is heartwarming, and gives you that special feeling when you are finished. And I appreciate Ms. Hill weaving Scriptures and Truths from the Bible in the lives of these people. I am having so much fun taking a trip back in time with these books by Grace Livingston Hill. And a big thanks to Barbour Books for bringing them back into our lives.
I received this book from the publisher Barbour Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.
Spoiled debutante Tasha Endicott is not at all happy when she is stranded at the train station because of a blizzard, but maybe being stranded at the home of Thurly Macdonald is just what she needs. It is sure be a challenge. But the thing that is so different is the fact that this book was written when romance, dating and just about everything was different. And The culture differences between Tasha and Thurly was really, really different. I so much enjoyed Tasha being brought down a bit in the way she lived. And an attraction couldn’t be between the two of them, could it? Not with the high society young lady Tasha Endicott.
This books was just plain fun for me to read. This story is heartwarming, and gives you that special feeling when you are finished. And I appreciate Ms. Hill weaving Scriptures and Truths from the Bible in the lives of these people. I am having so much fun taking a trip back in time with these books by Grace Livingston Hill. And a big thanks to Barbour Books for bringing them back into our lives.
I received this book from the publisher Barbour Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.
August 30, 2024
This is the first time in years that I’ve found a new-to-me GL Hill book, and I gobbled this in one sitting. It definitely falls into the best of her usually formulaic, generally predicable, written-to-keep-bread-on-the-table but always delightful books. Although she recycled many plot devices throughout her stories, the unusual character development in this one was charming, and there was even a surprising plot twist at the end that was wholly enjoyable. While many of her Christian mores seem overly conservative to modern readers, I always remember how fast the culture was changing around Hill as she wrote, and try to read through that lens. Anastasia’s longing for peace and purity, and her gradual transformation, was truly refreshing, and I read the last few pages with a huge smile on my face.
April 11, 2016
Another Meh. As far as Grave Livingston Hill goes, it was alright. i've found that her books tend to have a very repetitive style and that's one thing I don't like. It was a little corny too butnot terrible, I guess since its such an old romance book, written by an older christian woman, it seemed different. Not as relaxed as it could have been. Also I felt the romance was not very exciting. They see each other once and fall in love but the guy is held back because she's a worldling (which i suppose was good). At the end when she tells him she's been born again and he suddenly embraces her I was like, what? You went from being very formal with her to embracing her and cuddling? Kind of strange...
November 23, 2013
I thought this book was a little on the corny side with one of the main characters seeming too much like a "mama's boy," but when I finished reading it I saw the authors's info on the last page and I had no idea that Grace Livingston Hill was a classic author many years ago. I thought this was a new book! I'm not sure when it was written but it said the author died in 1947 so this is a pretty old story. So now I understand why it seemed a little different.
October 6, 2016
Oh, I do love cozy drama and wordlings who become Christian without losing their coolness, and fatal storm rescues and deathbed conversions (GLH loves those, too.)
I love Pete-Campbell-insult-worthy smackdowns of "huzzys" too. Bonus.
I love Pete-Campbell-insult-worthy smackdowns of "huzzys" too. Bonus.
June 28, 2012
not bad..i liked how the main character developed character and how the author attacked church sterotypes for relationships (i.e hesba was a girl in the book who would have been likely favored by church people but she turned out to be something else)
May 30, 2014
Loved this story! Took me a while to finish it though, since I haven't had much time to read, lately! Very good story, though!
May 26, 2012
I was on a Grace Livingston Hill kick a while back and read several of her novels. They are always quaint and old-fashioned, sometimes a little preachy, but almost always a nice relaxing read.
January 5, 2022
It wasn't "The Substitute Guest", but it was very good.
Tasha is a rich socialite - she drinks, smokes, parties hard, and looks down on the little people. Until she finds herself stranded at a closed train station in a blizzard and nearly freezing to death. Enter Thurly MacDonald, an ex-football star and pastor in training. He brings her home, shows her Biblical lovingkindness, and loses a little piece of his heart to her (much to his consternation). When she leaves, a shoe with real diamonds is left behind, and ties were formed that brings them together again and again.
I *LOVE* Grace's books. I wish the world were like this, now. Even if there were one or two people like this...! Anyhow, I've joined a GLH 2022 reading group, and found the 2021 list, as well, and this was the book for January.
There were issues. Understanding Thurly's mother was really something - not only was the vernacular from the 40s, but she spoke with an Irish accent and... it was problematic. There was also the hinting about Lucia's affair that was never actually confirmed - why have one, if it's all conjecture? I don't believe Hespa would continue to call Thurly's mother 'Grandma' after being told not to, either.
But the way that Tasha came to know Christ - with little seeds from people here and there - and real verses and hymn lyrics...? It was wonderful. Which is why I love Grace's books so much.
Tasha is a rich socialite - she drinks, smokes, parties hard, and looks down on the little people. Until she finds herself stranded at a closed train station in a blizzard and nearly freezing to death. Enter Thurly MacDonald, an ex-football star and pastor in training. He brings her home, shows her Biblical lovingkindness, and loses a little piece of his heart to her (much to his consternation). When she leaves, a shoe with real diamonds is left behind, and ties were formed that brings them together again and again.
I *LOVE* Grace's books. I wish the world were like this, now. Even if there were one or two people like this...! Anyhow, I've joined a GLH 2022 reading group, and found the 2021 list, as well, and this was the book for January.
There were issues. Understanding Thurly's mother was really something - not only was the vernacular from the 40s, but she spoke with an Irish accent and... it was problematic. There was also the hinting about Lucia's affair that was never actually confirmed - why have one, if it's all conjecture? I don't believe Hespa would continue to call Thurly's mother 'Grandma' after being told not to, either.
But the way that Tasha came to know Christ - with little seeds from people here and there - and real verses and hymn lyrics...? It was wonderful. Which is why I love Grace's books so much.
August 31, 2023
I remember reading this back in my early teens. It’s always a new experience to reread something you originally read in a significantly different phase of life than you’re currently in. While I don’t remember my feelings about it then, I’m guessing I was more interested in the romance aspect of it at that time, but I’m 46 now, and I realized this story is at least as much about the mom as it is about the two love interest characters. I was honestly more interested in her and how she responded to her son’s interest in a woman that she knew wasn’t right for him. And also how she deals with difficult people with grace. That’s more where I’m at in my life right now, and I really appreciated that viewpoint. I don’t read a lot of Christian fiction these days, but I may have to pick up an old Grace Livingston Hill from time to time to see what surprising bits of wisdom I can pick up.
July 30, 2020
Silly Tasha Endicott, trying to get to a party in a blizzard needs rescue in the form of a large, strapping minister who takes her home to his mother. The weekend she enjoys there is life-changing. So is the show which falls into the keeping of the hero of the story (who really had no business keeping it).
It's a lot of fuss over a shoe. I can't help but think how times have changed, how little anyone would think of handing over a shoe which had been laid aside for safekeeping. A little preachy and definitely some Christian snobbishness thrown in which makes this not quite my favorite book. But it's a Grace Livingston Hill, so I will love it anyway.
It's a lot of fuss over a shoe. I can't help but think how times have changed, how little anyone would think of handing over a shoe which had been laid aside for safekeeping. A little preachy and definitely some Christian snobbishness thrown in which makes this not quite my favorite book. But it's a Grace Livingston Hill, so I will love it anyway.
June 19, 2024
An old-fashioned story .. yet so endearing and faith-filled. A society gal is caught in a snowstorm and rescued by a pastor-in-training. Cared for by the family, the young woman encounters people of faith for the first time in her life, and as the Word is planted, it begins to grow. Walking in faith takes many forms in the book, as it features not only someone newly exposed to Christian faith but also someone who is challenged to live out faith in her own home when a very irritating someone comes to stay. The symbol of the gold shoe is woven throughout the story, but I'll not give that away! This is a sweet read and a reminder to live my days out in prayer.
May 5, 2022
Another fantastic book by Grace Livingston Hill! I loved the characters so much, and I love how she incorporates God and scripture into her book!
Tessa is a socialite on her way to a party when her train breaks down. There is a huge snowstorm in the town where she arrives and she quickly becomes lost. Enter Thurly, a young pastor who finds her and brings her home to his mother. In the process of being rescued Tessa loses her gold shoe. Tessa is enchanted by Thurly and his mothers down to earth lifestyle and their faith. Much more happens, so read the book! You won't be disappointed!
Tessa is a socialite on her way to a party when her train breaks down. There is a huge snowstorm in the town where she arrives and she quickly becomes lost. Enter Thurly, a young pastor who finds her and brings her home to his mother. In the process of being rescued Tessa loses her gold shoe. Tessa is enchanted by Thurly and his mothers down to earth lifestyle and their faith. Much more happens, so read the book! You won't be disappointed!
January 25, 2025
I’m not always crazy about the GLH novels where the main character is the one who converts near the end of the story, but I really enjoyed this one. While silly and flighty, Tasha was not particularly unlikable, and I enjoyed the balance of her point of view with that of Thurley and his mother - and I came to enjoy the sections with Mrs Macdonald most of all.
Grace Livingston Hill novels always leave me with a desire to spend more time reading my Bible, which has got to be some of the highest praise you can give fiction.
Grace Livingston Hill novels always leave me with a desire to spend more time reading my Bible, which has got to be some of the highest praise you can give fiction.
June 9, 2023
I would give 10 Gold Stars for Gold Shoe
Grace Livingston Hill’s storytelling skills are in rare form with this book. I just love the storyline, the characters, the lessons about acting like a Christian when you’re a human in the flesh. Very authentic and just beautiful. This is one of my all-time favorites—for some reason it really hit me in the heart. Yet it isn’t sappy at all.
Grace Livingston Hill’s storytelling skills are in rare form with this book. I just love the storyline, the characters, the lessons about acting like a Christian when you’re a human in the flesh. Very authentic and just beautiful. This is one of my all-time favorites—for some reason it really hit me in the heart. Yet it isn’t sappy at all.
January 25, 2024
Basically a 1930s Hallmark movie. Which is to say, I didn't hate it. But like most Hallmark movies, I wouldn't re-watch unless there was nothing else to watch. To be fair, this would be a good Hallmark movie, so it might deserve to be read again sometime during the rest of my life (and I'm 25, so let's cross out fingers that's a 70-year window of opportunity).
December 27, 2024
Not one of my favorite Hills. The mom came across as a little obsessive over the lost shoe and wanting a decent girl for her son. Though I think she learned that "decent" girls are sometimes more sanctimonious than godly and that people can be redeemed. I would not recommend this one as a starting point for those just getting into Grace Livingston Hill.
June 19, 2018
published in 1930, this heroine is a wee bit different from the usual for Hill in that she dances, smokes, and DRINKS (oh my!). But the author being who she is, we all know how that's going to end up ;).
December 24, 2018
Love Her Books !!!
Her style is unlike anyone else's and I love absolutely everything about her writing ... plot, characters, how she turns a phrase, and her frequent words of wisdom.
Her style is unlike anyone else's and I love absolutely everything about her writing ... plot, characters, how she turns a phrase, and her frequent words of wisdom.
December 28, 2020
An amusing story full of surprises
Miss Hill is a master of telling a story full of twists and turns. This is no exception. A delightful read with wonderful characters that will warm your heart and make you smile
Miss Hill is a master of telling a story full of twists and turns. This is no exception. A delightful read with wonderful characters that will warm your heart and make you smile
February 21, 2019
A little different story line, but a great book.
October 2, 2019
It was a cute story. Kind of like a hallmark movie. What did drive me crazy was all the exclamation marks! Way too many! Makes it so hard to read! See what I mean! We don’t need all these!
July 15, 2020
Sweet story with the gospel told beautifully!
Grace Livingston writes in such a way to captivate the reader with humor, facts and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Grace Livingston writes in such a way to captivate the reader with humor, facts and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
January 24, 2024
The Gold Shoe
This book is a delightful romance with plenty of spiritual guidance all through the story. I love that this author always shows the way to salvation in her stories.
This book is a delightful romance with plenty of spiritual guidance all through the story. I love that this author always shows the way to salvation in her stories.
December 21, 2021
This was fine. I liked the redemption arc, and the way that GLH made the traditionally "good" girl the one who was actually a terrible person. That was a bait and switch that I didn't really expect from GLH, so that was pleasant! All in all, I would probably read again, but it is not one of GLH's best, in my opinion.
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