What do you think?
Rate this book
The Story of a Whim
The gift of an organ and Sunday school textbooks mistakenly sent to an immoral young man lead him to find a new religious faith
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1903
52 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
602 books572 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Read
February 19, 2022Even though others say this was one of Grace Livingston Hill's worst stories, I LOVED it! It was my first by her ever, and I'm so excited to read more! I guess that goes to show how amazing her best stories are!
Full review to come! :D
Full review to come! :D
February 7, 2013
Originally published in 1903, this is the best book ever, and it's out on Kindle! A tender romance, one so beautifully written that you can't help smiling throughout. The adventure begins when a bevy of college-aged beauties are waiting for another friend to join them for their Thanksgiving holiday. The train is late, so they while away their time by looking at some of the worn old furniture that is going to be freighted to Christie Bailey, Pine Ridge, FL. The lead female in the story, Hazel, has an old pump organ that she had planned on giving to a charity. On a whim, the girls box it up and send it to Christie, imagining her to be a missionary or an "old black mammy." The other girls jump into the fray, each including something special in the box -- a rug, some throw pillows, some song books to go with the organ, etc.
Imagine the consternation of the young man named Chris (aka Christie) when he receives this special box with their loving note in it, signed by each of the six sweet girls. The box arrives the day before Christmas. Opening the box, he's perplexed yet so energized, reading the letter from the six girls and trying to guess which picture goes with which signature. He immediately feels drawn to Hazel's photo.
As he unpacks the organ, he realizes the dirty condition of his "home" and grabs a broom to sweep the little hovel. He lives in an old dilapidated shack in Pine Ridge, a tiny town in Florida. Little by little his home takes on a beautiful look, and he determines to remember the God that he had totally forgotten about by properly celebrating His birth on Christmas Day. That starts to cause a change in him, greatly lightening the depression that has been settling on him down there alone with his few straggly orange trees.
He writes a thank-you letter to Hazel, and the correspondence continues apace. The friends of Chris are brash, uncouth young men, so they tease him unmercifully about his new possessions. One of them can play the organ, however, and he grabs one of the song books and starts playing a hymn softly. Pretty soon all of the young men are singing in their clear tenor voices. The sounds drift outside, and a few black children peep in to see what's going on! Chris bemusedly thinks to himself, "Perhaps I may start that Sunday School after all."
The real problem begins when Hazel plans a surprise visit to Christie. I won't say more, but there are many funny parts, and many lovely bits. It is a wonderful book!
Imagine the consternation of the young man named Chris (aka Christie) when he receives this special box with their loving note in it, signed by each of the six sweet girls. The box arrives the day before Christmas. Opening the box, he's perplexed yet so energized, reading the letter from the six girls and trying to guess which picture goes with which signature. He immediately feels drawn to Hazel's photo.
As he unpacks the organ, he realizes the dirty condition of his "home" and grabs a broom to sweep the little hovel. He lives in an old dilapidated shack in Pine Ridge, a tiny town in Florida. Little by little his home takes on a beautiful look, and he determines to remember the God that he had totally forgotten about by properly celebrating His birth on Christmas Day. That starts to cause a change in him, greatly lightening the depression that has been settling on him down there alone with his few straggly orange trees.
He writes a thank-you letter to Hazel, and the correspondence continues apace. The friends of Chris are brash, uncouth young men, so they tease him unmercifully about his new possessions. One of them can play the organ, however, and he grabs one of the song books and starts playing a hymn softly. Pretty soon all of the young men are singing in their clear tenor voices. The sounds drift outside, and a few black children peep in to see what's going on! Chris bemusedly thinks to himself, "Perhaps I may start that Sunday School after all."
The real problem begins when Hazel plans a surprise visit to Christie. I won't say more, but there are many funny parts, and many lovely bits. It is a wonderful book!
February 12, 2023
Some parts of this were funny, some parts were outright dumb, and a few parts were sweet. Not the worst GLH I've read, but not one of the books I like either.
*2015 review*
This is probably the weakest Grace Livingston Hill I have read. You can tell that it was one of her early works. Still, it was a cute story.
*2015 review*
This is probably the weakest Grace Livingston Hill I have read. You can tell that it was one of her early works. Still, it was a cute story.
February 3, 2018
This was probably my least favorite GLH book I've ever read. The whole thing was centered around a lie that turns out well, which is something I am strongly against.
There was some good faith content, but I didn't feel it outweighed the bad.
There was some good faith content, but I didn't feel it outweighed the bad.
September 29, 2019
Hazel and her college friends are hanging around the railroad station waiting for some friends, when they spy some decrepit furniture tagged to a "Christie Bailey" of Pine Ridge, Florida. The girls at first make fun of the poor belongings, but Hazel Winship decides that Christie must be very poor and they might really be able to help her out by sending along some nicer things, including an organ. They make up a story about poor Christie, deciding that she is a homely old maid who will appreciate the things they send as well as their friendship. Among the things the girls ship out is a wonderful picture of Christ, as well as some Sunday School literature, encouraging Christie to start a Sunday School in her area.
Well, as it turns out, Christie is not a homely old maid, but a handsome young man, who lives a pretty rough and primitive life in his Florida cabin among his orange trees. When the items arrive, his transformation begins. In some strange way, he wants to be the kind of person they think he is, and the picture of Christ figures largely in his transformation. He is afraid that if he reveals to the girls that he is not a homely old maid, they will be embarrassed and quit writing him and sending him things. So he keeps the secret, but he and Hazel begin a series of letters in which they share their hearts. In the end, Hazel comes to visit her new friend, and Christie pays dearly for his deception. But his life has been changed by Hazel and her Christ, and he will never be the same. However, will that be enough for Hazel? She is dreadfully upset and shamed that she has been corresponding with a man and sharing her heart with what she supposed was another woman. Can she ever forgive him?
Well, as it turns out, Christie is not a homely old maid, but a handsome young man, who lives a pretty rough and primitive life in his Florida cabin among his orange trees. When the items arrive, his transformation begins. In some strange way, he wants to be the kind of person they think he is, and the picture of Christ figures largely in his transformation. He is afraid that if he reveals to the girls that he is not a homely old maid, they will be embarrassed and quit writing him and sending him things. So he keeps the secret, but he and Hazel begin a series of letters in which they share their hearts. In the end, Hazel comes to visit her new friend, and Christie pays dearly for his deception. But his life has been changed by Hazel and her Christ, and he will never be the same. However, will that be enough for Hazel? She is dreadfully upset and shamed that she has been corresponding with a man and sharing her heart with what she supposed was another woman. Can she ever forgive him?
September 9, 2025
I listened to this with my husband - he really got into it!
It was short and sweet. And it brought to mind Ecclesiastes 7:16 ESV "Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?" We actually had several discussions about holding people to too high standard... Where do you draw the line?
The best people sin. We need grace. We need to show grace.
It was short and sweet. And it brought to mind Ecclesiastes 7:16 ESV "Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?" We actually had several discussions about holding people to too high standard... Where do you draw the line?
The best people sin. We need grace. We need to show grace.
November 27, 2022
I know these aren't meant to be comedies, but golly the melodrama makes me laugh sometimes! 😆
July 25, 2019
I would have rated this somewhere between a 3 and a 4, depending on how frustrated you get with the lack of believe-ability of the conclusion.
I did love the part of the story having to do with how much a simple gift meant to the recipient, and how it completely changed his life for the better. Sometimes, a gift is just a gift and nothing more, but other times, God does manage to do amazing and unexpected things with it, "immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)
I thought I knew which picture of Jesus, Hofmann's "Head of Christ" was, but I was wrong, when I looked it up. I had been thinking of a different rendition of Jesus that my grandmother had in her home, because it had so engrossed me, as a child, looking at His tenderness. I can envision such a picture making a difference in someone's life.
I enjoyed Uncle Moses' faith.
The rest of the story, and Christie's deceit through snail mail, reminded me of the present-day online personas that people have, deceiving each other. Be wary of meeting those you only know online.
I found it a little hard to buy that Hazel, who had so dedicated herself to Jesus, wouldn't even let Christie explain himself. And even harder to believe that - SPOILER - having refused him, their resolution - and marriage - came so quickly. They didn't even really know each other, just pieces of each other, through their correspondence, and part of that was misleading. Judge Winship seemed even more gullible to me, especially considering all he must've seen over his career as a judge.
This book had a truly offensive word now, but there was an era when it wasn't, necessarily. It could've been used that way, but it could also have been just descriptive. I think, given the context, it was not originally written as a slur, but I could understand if some readers avoided this book because of it.
My mom's main issue with GLH books is how extremely good or extremely bad the characters were. But I think that in this book, both Christie and Hazel had a mix of good and bad traits.
So, yes, beautiful story, beautifully told, but I couldn't take the ending very seriously.
Favorite quote:
"I hope she'll settle down now and do as other people do."
"She won't. She'll keep on having a perfectly lovely time all her life."
I did love the part of the story having to do with how much a simple gift meant to the recipient, and how it completely changed his life for the better. Sometimes, a gift is just a gift and nothing more, but other times, God does manage to do amazing and unexpected things with it, "immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20)
I thought I knew which picture of Jesus, Hofmann's "Head of Christ" was, but I was wrong, when I looked it up. I had been thinking of a different rendition of Jesus that my grandmother had in her home, because it had so engrossed me, as a child, looking at His tenderness. I can envision such a picture making a difference in someone's life.
I enjoyed Uncle Moses' faith.
The rest of the story, and Christie's deceit through snail mail, reminded me of the present-day online personas that people have, deceiving each other. Be wary of meeting those you only know online.
I found it a little hard to buy that Hazel, who had so dedicated herself to Jesus, wouldn't even let Christie explain himself. And even harder to believe that - SPOILER - having refused him, their resolution - and marriage - came so quickly. They didn't even really know each other, just pieces of each other, through their correspondence, and part of that was misleading. Judge Winship seemed even more gullible to me, especially considering all he must've seen over his career as a judge.
This book had a truly offensive word now, but there was an era when it wasn't, necessarily. It could've been used that way, but it could also have been just descriptive. I think, given the context, it was not originally written as a slur, but I could understand if some readers avoided this book because of it.
My mom's main issue with GLH books is how extremely good or extremely bad the characters were. But I think that in this book, both Christie and Hazel had a mix of good and bad traits.
So, yes, beautiful story, beautifully told, but I couldn't take the ending very seriously.
Favorite quote:
"I hope she'll settle down now and do as other people do."
"She won't. She'll keep on having a perfectly lovely time all her life."
September 3, 2023
Rating: 4 / 5
This story is just what it should be: short and sweet.
It's one of Grace Livingston Hill's earlier stories (written 1903), but I think that there's a lot from her that would become a staple of her writing style later on. Both Christie (the hero) and Hazel (the heroine) are both very likeable, and their relationship progresses very nicely--though not necessarily romantically, at first.
As a shorter story, the happy ending is a tad more abrupt and short, but it's still such a meaningful story for finding the love of Christ and how faith inspires Christie's life after what is, after all, just a whim sent his way.
A quick, but cute and meaningful read, to be sure!
This story is just what it should be: short and sweet.
It's one of Grace Livingston Hill's earlier stories (written 1903), but I think that there's a lot from her that would become a staple of her writing style later on. Both Christie (the hero) and Hazel (the heroine) are both very likeable, and their relationship progresses very nicely--though not necessarily romantically, at first.
As a shorter story, the happy ending is a tad more abrupt and short, but it's still such a meaningful story for finding the love of Christ and how faith inspires Christie's life after what is, after all, just a whim sent his way.
A quick, but cute and meaningful read, to be sure!
August 15, 2021
"The Story of a Whim" is part of the Love Endures series from Grace Livingston Hill which is a case of mistaken identity. A friendship develops but more importantly a teaching for a love of Christ.
Story in short- Hazel and her friends decide to help brightens some girls belongings look rather dingy, waiting to be shipped to Florida, later shipping some pretty coverings makes it rather nice.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
Awaiting another girlfriend for their Thanksgiving gathering, Hazel one of the five young women notice some old furniture addressed to Christine W. Bailey, Pine Ridge, Florida. Hazel sensed that Christine, who is probably a poor girl would enjoy a nice slip cover and pillow for the couch. All the girls and Hazel's mother help contribute. Chris who is alone in the world comes to the Florida post office and is told of a gift for him. Christie is a young man who lost his parents and was raised by an aunt. He attended college but he is living in Florida, trying to start an orange grove. He has brought home the gifts and feeling a little ashamed that the girls think him a girl too but his room with new things has changed him. After Chris' house has changed, he remembers his two friends are coming, both rough and they laugh at his new abode, even the picture, they make fun of which upsets Chris. He starts to play the organ, that Hazel sent and even his two friends are enjoying the music and singing. The children hear and come by to look. Chris announces a Sunday school every week for the children. Chris decided that he would not feel right starting a Sunday school and that he must be gone that day. He is trying to decide if he should write to the girls and he decides to write not giving his sex but that kind of sounded somewhat like a girl but not veering from the truth. Hazel and her friends read the letter at college and Hazel has big plans to help the 28 year old girl who is lonely. She writes to Christie and tells her friends to write too but as their letters stopped, Hazel kept writing. When Sunday comes around Chris can not leave because his pony is injured and is surprised when his English friend, Armstrong and Mortimer come with another friend for the Sunday school. Chris' friends come with another friend looking to make fun of the Sunday school and getting drunk. This upset Chris and the picture of Christ which has since it came, such a change in his life that he threw out the alchol, his friends can not make out what was happening. The children and some elders came with Uncle Moses helping by starting off a pray, gave Chris direction and his friends are astounded by the change. A little girl at the closing asked Chris is that picture his father? The picture of Christ was his father and he answered no, but rethinking it he knew it was his Father in heaven. Chris writes to Hazel about his Sunday school and his friends trying to make fun of him but he held fast and that experience after that he felt God near him. Hazel writes a letter to Chris telling him, thinking he is a girl that she loves her. Hazel does not let her friends see all the letter. When Chris hears of the love from the friend, he who had not been loved since his mother and thought nobody would ever love him. He knows he will never see Hazel, and feels no need to tell her that he is a man. He writes her long letters about things in his heart and questions about Christ. She returns the letters and knows that a girl who could write like Christie must be beautiful as her soul. She has tried to get Chris to send a picture but he has refused. Hazel and her friends graduate and have taken several trips together. Hazel is ill and suddenly the letters stop coming and Hazel friend writes of the illness which worries Chris and after Sunday school a little girl suggest that he pray for his ill friend. He prays and then letters come that she is well. She starts to write again and he believes in the power of prayer. Her family thinks a trip will help her and she has decided to see her friend with some of her friends. They are to surprise her and ask the bewildered man talking them about Chris being a she. Hazel has seen that Christie is a man which angers her with the deceit. Chris tries to explain but she will not listen. Hazel has been ill for days and can not go back North until she is well. She is riding her horse with her friends and sees Chris giving him a terrible look. Hazel's friends know something must be done, Hazel thinks Chris had told all lies about his faith. Victoria comes and hears Chris' prayers at Sunday school and knows that Hazel would not feel so upset if she saw him. Victoria after seeing Chris' Sunday school and talking to Mortimer, whose family is from Boston and they are visiting and staying at the hotel. She asks him about Christie Bailey and how he had that name and about his Sunday school. He tells her about how Chris had changed after some girls had sent him things, thinking he was a girl. Victoria likes Mortimer looking for him to change too for he has not changed like Chris but he does help at Sunday school. Christie is a family name, it is not short for Christopher. Victoria and Ruth see Chris and tell him he should explain himself to Hazel, that he was not playing a joke. Victoria spends time with Hazel and tells her about the school and prayer from Chris that she heard. Over the week Victoria talks to Hazel alone telling her all she has heard about Christie, getting her ready for his visit. Victoria planned for Hazel to have dinner with her alone and the family to dine with Ruth downstairs. Victoria hopes that she is doing the right thing after she asks Hazel, that Christie has come to explain will she let him come, she says yes with a blush, Victoria sees how things stand. Chris sees how sick she looks and wants to tell her his story if she feels okay. He tells about his mother and his life, the way he was before her gifts and letter, especially when she said she loved him, not knowing he was a man and he felt he did not deserve it, but what harm he did not see then but sees it now. He also wanted to be truthful that he knew he loved her and he could never hope for her love because he is so beneath her, he just wants her to forgive him. One thing he knows that she has given him Christ and that can not be taken away. He is silent hoping for forgiveness before he leaves and will everyday look to live up to the kind of man she would be proud of. Hazel gets up and comes near him, and tells her she forgives him and loves him too. Chris hugs her and he is happy but Victoria ends the meeting because of the family returning. Hazel talks to her father the judge, Winship, who loves his daughter. When Sunday comes the Judge comes to Chris' Sunday school and listens, after he talks to Chris asking if he loves his daughter and does he plan on marrying her. Chris tells him he does love Hazel but I am too poor for her, whereas the Judge tells that he grew up in a poorer house but Chris must talk this over with Hazel but he approves especially after Chris tells him that he will not take any money from Hazel, he will take care of his wife himself which her father approves. The couple is married with a simple wedding and are not taking a honeymoon. Ruth cannot understand why Hazel would marry someone poor but Victoria told her then you have not loved. Victoria has had a talk and understanding with Mortimer. Hazel and Chris look at the organ that brought them together and gave thanks to Lord Jesus Christ.
Story in short- Hazel and her friends decide to help brightens some girls belongings look rather dingy, waiting to be shipped to Florida, later shipping some pretty coverings makes it rather nice.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
Awaiting another girlfriend for their Thanksgiving gathering, Hazel one of the five young women notice some old furniture addressed to Christine W. Bailey, Pine Ridge, Florida. Hazel sensed that Christine, who is probably a poor girl would enjoy a nice slip cover and pillow for the couch. All the girls and Hazel's mother help contribute. Chris who is alone in the world comes to the Florida post office and is told of a gift for him. Christie is a young man who lost his parents and was raised by an aunt. He attended college but he is living in Florida, trying to start an orange grove. He has brought home the gifts and feeling a little ashamed that the girls think him a girl too but his room with new things has changed him. After Chris' house has changed, he remembers his two friends are coming, both rough and they laugh at his new abode, even the picture, they make fun of which upsets Chris. He starts to play the organ, that Hazel sent and even his two friends are enjoying the music and singing. The children hear and come by to look. Chris announces a Sunday school every week for the children. Chris decided that he would not feel right starting a Sunday school and that he must be gone that day. He is trying to decide if he should write to the girls and he decides to write not giving his sex but that kind of sounded somewhat like a girl but not veering from the truth. Hazel and her friends read the letter at college and Hazel has big plans to help the 28 year old girl who is lonely. She writes to Christie and tells her friends to write too but as their letters stopped, Hazel kept writing. When Sunday comes around Chris can not leave because his pony is injured and is surprised when his English friend, Armstrong and Mortimer come with another friend for the Sunday school. Chris' friends come with another friend looking to make fun of the Sunday school and getting drunk. This upset Chris and the picture of Christ which has since it came, such a change in his life that he threw out the alchol, his friends can not make out what was happening. The children and some elders came with Uncle Moses helping by starting off a pray, gave Chris direction and his friends are astounded by the change. A little girl at the closing asked Chris is that picture his father? The picture of Christ was his father and he answered no, but rethinking it he knew it was his Father in heaven. Chris writes to Hazel about his Sunday school and his friends trying to make fun of him but he held fast and that experience after that he felt God near him. Hazel writes a letter to Chris telling him, thinking he is a girl that she loves her. Hazel does not let her friends see all the letter. When Chris hears of the love from the friend, he who had not been loved since his mother and thought nobody would ever love him. He knows he will never see Hazel, and feels no need to tell her that he is a man. He writes her long letters about things in his heart and questions about Christ. She returns the letters and knows that a girl who could write like Christie must be beautiful as her soul. She has tried to get Chris to send a picture but he has refused. Hazel and her friends graduate and have taken several trips together. Hazel is ill and suddenly the letters stop coming and Hazel friend writes of the illness which worries Chris and after Sunday school a little girl suggest that he pray for his ill friend. He prays and then letters come that she is well. She starts to write again and he believes in the power of prayer. Her family thinks a trip will help her and she has decided to see her friend with some of her friends. They are to surprise her and ask the bewildered man talking them about Chris being a she. Hazel has seen that Christie is a man which angers her with the deceit. Chris tries to explain but she will not listen. Hazel has been ill for days and can not go back North until she is well. She is riding her horse with her friends and sees Chris giving him a terrible look. Hazel's friends know something must be done, Hazel thinks Chris had told all lies about his faith. Victoria comes and hears Chris' prayers at Sunday school and knows that Hazel would not feel so upset if she saw him. Victoria after seeing Chris' Sunday school and talking to Mortimer, whose family is from Boston and they are visiting and staying at the hotel. She asks him about Christie Bailey and how he had that name and about his Sunday school. He tells her about how Chris had changed after some girls had sent him things, thinking he was a girl. Victoria likes Mortimer looking for him to change too for he has not changed like Chris but he does help at Sunday school. Christie is a family name, it is not short for Christopher. Victoria and Ruth see Chris and tell him he should explain himself to Hazel, that he was not playing a joke. Victoria spends time with Hazel and tells her about the school and prayer from Chris that she heard. Over the week Victoria talks to Hazel alone telling her all she has heard about Christie, getting her ready for his visit. Victoria planned for Hazel to have dinner with her alone and the family to dine with Ruth downstairs. Victoria hopes that she is doing the right thing after she asks Hazel, that Christie has come to explain will she let him come, she says yes with a blush, Victoria sees how things stand. Chris sees how sick she looks and wants to tell her his story if she feels okay. He tells about his mother and his life, the way he was before her gifts and letter, especially when she said she loved him, not knowing he was a man and he felt he did not deserve it, but what harm he did not see then but sees it now. He also wanted to be truthful that he knew he loved her and he could never hope for her love because he is so beneath her, he just wants her to forgive him. One thing he knows that she has given him Christ and that can not be taken away. He is silent hoping for forgiveness before he leaves and will everyday look to live up to the kind of man she would be proud of. Hazel gets up and comes near him, and tells her she forgives him and loves him too. Chris hugs her and he is happy but Victoria ends the meeting because of the family returning. Hazel talks to her father the judge, Winship, who loves his daughter. When Sunday comes the Judge comes to Chris' Sunday school and listens, after he talks to Chris asking if he loves his daughter and does he plan on marrying her. Chris tells him he does love Hazel but I am too poor for her, whereas the Judge tells that he grew up in a poorer house but Chris must talk this over with Hazel but he approves especially after Chris tells him that he will not take any money from Hazel, he will take care of his wife himself which her father approves. The couple is married with a simple wedding and are not taking a honeymoon. Ruth cannot understand why Hazel would marry someone poor but Victoria told her then you have not loved. Victoria has had a talk and understanding with Mortimer. Hazel and Chris look at the organ that brought them together and gave thanks to Lord Jesus Christ.
July 25, 2016
This story was so sweet! A case of mistaken identity that turned into a beautiful romance. I love how this story is so much more than a romance though. It is about Christie finding Christ, himself, and his place in the world. Just plain lovely and I couldn't stop smiling the whole way through.
Read
January 25, 2008Hill, Grace Livingston
March 8, 2016
I smiled from start to finish with this short sweet book. I think it's now one of my favorites by GLH.
July 6, 2015
I love these old fashioned romances.
May 16, 2013
This story was so touching it brought me to tears.
December 7, 2019
I first read this book from our church library when I was twelve . . . an edition published in 1924. I fell in love with the story and still remember it clearly 46 years later! Yesterday, I pulled out that old copy (which became mine when the library updated!) and read it again. It made me smile. Yes, its worldview is outdated and a bit cringe-worthy in places, but it was first published well over a century ago, so . . . yeah.
The story centers around a lie of omission, but I can't help sympathizing with the hero's reasons for not explaining at the beginning, and I can also understand why the thought of explaining became more awkward as time passed . . . Obviously, this doesn't excuse him, but it does make him realistic.
To me, the story reveals how God can bring good and blessing out of anything--and the hero was certainly repentant! The heroine isn't perfect either. She is undeniably impulsive, but her heart was in the right place!
It's a cute, sweet story with a unique message.
The story centers around a lie of omission, but I can't help sympathizing with the hero's reasons for not explaining at the beginning, and I can also understand why the thought of explaining became more awkward as time passed . . . Obviously, this doesn't excuse him, but it does make him realistic.
To me, the story reveals how God can bring good and blessing out of anything--and the hero was certainly repentant! The heroine isn't perfect either. She is undeniably impulsive, but her heart was in the right place!
It's a cute, sweet story with a unique message.
July 14, 2021
Ok, ok, ok...yes, I know this story was completely unbelievable, unrealistic, and probably poorly written. Don't care. Still LOVED it!
Love the unwitting pen pal trope, and loved these characters! Hazel was wonderful, and honestly, something like I fancy myself to have been as a young high school aged girl - giving love and kindness very easily and freely, and always up for some good charitable fun. Christie was the type of character who makes such a drastic change for the Lord that you can't help but fall in love with him.
Will this become one of those books that I'm embarrassed to love? Maybe. But I think I'll own it loud and proud! I think this will definitely be a re-read for me, and I may even have to own it at some point. Highly recommend - with reservations (don't judge me or my taste in literature!)
Love the unwitting pen pal trope, and loved these characters! Hazel was wonderful, and honestly, something like I fancy myself to have been as a young high school aged girl - giving love and kindness very easily and freely, and always up for some good charitable fun. Christie was the type of character who makes such a drastic change for the Lord that you can't help but fall in love with him.
Will this become one of those books that I'm embarrassed to love? Maybe. But I think I'll own it loud and proud! I think this will definitely be a re-read for me, and I may even have to own it at some point. Highly recommend - with reservations (don't judge me or my taste in literature!)
March 28, 2019
Fun novella about a group of young ladies who see some ragged furniture waiting to be shipped away. They assume, from the name on the address label, that it is going to a woman, and imagine a story for her life. They decide to ship some items of their own as Christmas presents to cheer her up, and so starts a pen pal relationship between one of the girls and the receiver of their gifts, who is actually a young man (who is deeply influenced because of their interest.)
December 21, 2020
Hazel sends a Christmas gift to a stranger on a whim. As the stranger's name is "Christie", Hazel assumes she is gifting a college-age girl like herself, when instead, the receiver is a young orange farmer. Hazel's gift leads him to discover a faith that changes his life. This Christian novel written at the turn of the 20th century is a gentle, sweet read that is light on plot but full of charm.
November 13, 2021
This was a sweet story, I would call it a religious romance. It begins with a group of college girls waiting for a train to arrive with their friend. While waiting they notice some crates and a ratty couch to be shipped to a certain person named Christy. They assume it is a girl their age living in poverty. They fix up a couch cover and all sorts of nice things to "make a home" and ship it to Christy on Christmas Eve. Christy just happens to be a man....
November 29, 2021
An unbelievable plot but a charming story. This was actually very refreshing to listen to on Librivox. It was short, sweet, and because it's set in a different time, was fun to imagine the kinds of people at that time and what they considered normal. This story would be laughably creepy in today's world and Christie would likely have gotten publicly blasted on social media for a stunt like this. But I'll indulgently accept the charming and romantic ending that Ms. Hill presents here.
January 18, 2019
Lovely, sweet story told with poetic prose. It practically glows. The good news of Hope found in Jesus is so believable, it makes you wish you were right there with the characters. Or perhaps you have been in that place of utter loneliness and felt the comforting touch of a Savior who loves you unconditionally.
December 13, 2019
Enjoyable, although the close identification of Christ with his picture on the wall was a little weird for this Protestant. Also it was strange that the hero seemed to be addressing the picture when he called out "Father!" in prayer.
But I liked it nonetheless, and there were a few very amusing parts that had me chuckling.
But I liked it nonetheless, and there were a few very amusing parts that had me chuckling.
January 12, 2017
Excellent and fascinating story of redemption.
I would think a young girl would enjoy this story of how deception can be misunderstood. It is light reading with an intense story line.
I would think a young girl would enjoy this story of how deception can be misunderstood. It is light reading with an intense story line.
July 27, 2019
A friend introduced me to Grace Livingston Hill (GLH) books when we were in college. Somewhere along the way, I found a list of the 100 or so titles authored by GLH and set on a quest to read them all.
I like that gifts can have an impact on someone.
I like that gifts can have an impact on someone.
July 15, 2020
*Note: Naturally I was disturbed by the blatant commandment breaking of bowing down and praying to an image being glorified, but GLH's theology obviously missed that connection and she meant well, so with that caveat, it's a sweet story.
February 23, 2022
A short sweet little story that makes for a pleasant read! It’s a bit predictable without a lot of drama. Just a simple childlike story of salvation and a touch of true Christian love.💗 perfect for an hour or so of relaxation!
March 25, 2022
I love this book so much. Every could years I read it over again and it always hits me with all the feels. Yes it's got some cheesy bits but the way the main character prays and the way he changes throughout the story just get me every time. Highly recommend.
September 19, 2023
My mom had been trying to get me to read GLH for years, but I finally tried one on audio on Librivox. Sweet story, but this particular reader was a bit annoying to listen to. Plan to try some of her other books read by different readers.
October 4, 2023
I love this story so much! I love the romance between Hazel and Christie! The only part I didn't like was Christie writing letters, pretending to be a woman, even though he was a man with an unusual name. Otherwise, great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews