I really liked this book! I wasn’t at all sure if I was (for various reasons explained below, but mostly because I’m not a contemporary romance kindaI really liked this book! I wasn’t at all sure if I was (for various reasons explained below, but mostly because I’m not a contemporary romance kinda girl), but soon after I started, I realized it was a unique one.
Some of the best parts were Chris (yes, he deserves his own part) and the themes, which ended up surprising me (even though I don’t 100% agree with all the author’s conclusions).
Characters
Cassie, the main character, took a while to grow on me. She just came across as a bit dramatic and whiny for a grown woman – she’s not a teen, so I expected more maturity which means less drama. Still, I came to respect her over the course of time. She was a hard worker with a good heart who was going through some tough stuff (which I of course didn’t know at the beginning, meaning my heart wasn’t as soft toward her as it could be – it just felt like she was whining a ton for no reason!).
Her life story was honestly super inspiring, even though it was like a BBC drama for a while then. (I was going, “Is she the Lady Edith of the modern world? Is Chris her better-suited-for-her Bertie?”) I was glad to see it unfold over the course of the story (and pssttt, glad it ended how it ended!).
Chris is a sweet guy. We all need a guy like him in our lives! At times he seemed a little too perfect, which would be my only complaint. Compared to Cassie, he just seemed like a saint sometimes. I was like, “Do you have any faults, Chris!?”
I’m not quite sure he did – and it felt like his past was a bit glossed over compared to Cassie’s. I would have liked to know more! It felt like there was just one conversation. I suppose that’s because he was so … over it. Which was FANTASTIC and a good example – just made him a little less interesting.
Setting
The Australian setting was unique. Could have used with a bit more description, but there was still of course a foreign atmosphere to it.
I almost wished the author had have spent more time digging into the uniqueness, but of course, that might have annoyed/confused some readers who are just looking for a good romance without worrying too much about the setting. Themes
The themes were the place where I had hesitated when reading the blurb. I was like, “Oh, no … I’m going to disagree.” But divorce and remarriage after divorce is one of those things that, though I do have some strong opinions on, I have a little bit of wiggle room. I believe that God offers some grace in certain situations.
So I was hoping it wasn’t one of those things where the author is like, “Oh, yeah, she has a past. We’ll mention it twice and then be done because it’s not a big deal, God is love, He doesn’t care, blahblahblah.”
Thankfully … no. Cassie’s past relationships (of which there were two or three depending on what you call a relationship) were discussed in detail and dealt with. I think considering the subject, Lisa Renee did a good job handling some tough topics.
I didn’t necessarily agree with all the author’s conclusions, but I do believe it’s situational. Divorce is a horrible thing, but it’s not always avoidable (if the relationship is abusive, if the spouse cheats and refuses to repent, etc). I believe that it’s safe to assume that understanding God’s will for your life is the main thing in such cases.
Plot
The plot was a little slow-paced, and at times I found myself very tempted to skim as I wanted to get to the next “good part.” ...more
I went ahead and read this as soon as I got it because I've been super curious because everyone's been so enthusiastic! And also because I3.5/5 stars
I went ahead and read this as soon as I got it because I've been super curious because everyone's been so enthusiastic! And also because I have a headache and aren't able to write. (I want to write so bad! But I can't!)
I can see why lots of people love this cute little novella! But I think I just wasn't its audience - I'm a bit too young to have worried much about singleness, especially given that very few people seem to so far be bothered by the fact that I'm not dating (Where is the teasing, my friends!?!) - so it wasn't my thing. (Someone force it into my hands in 5-10 years, please and thank you? I might fuss, but I'll thank you later.)
But it seemed like a story that would help a lot of people who do struggle with being content in their singleness! At least for the sake of having something to relate to.
A couple things that also contributed to it having a lower rating (just for personal taste, mind you, not for story worth!):
- I couldn't quite agree with Livvy's conclusions about honoring parents. I think that's just taking it a bit too far for me. For that reason, (view spoiler)[her breakup didn't make sense to me at all. I wouldn't let a man go that easily! (hide spoiler)]
- Caiden and Stephanie had a relationship that rather made me uncomfortable at the beginning. xD I know I shouldn't have thought that way, but I was just like, "Ummm ... should I leave you two alone?" Honestly, in any other scenario, they would have so much chemistry.
OKAY THAT'S IT. See, not too much negativity. (I have to watch for that when I'm sick!) Signing off for now. :)...more
Reserving rating for the time being. I just don't feel right about it until either this book gets a few more reviewsOriginal Review, June 30th, 2019:
Reserving rating for the time being. I just don't feel right about it until either this book gets a few more reviews or I've cooled down enough to give the rating I feel a great author/writer like this deserves. :P Which sounds dumb, but there 'tis.
This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for the year, which is perhaps why I expected so much of it. So it's not fair for a book to take on my expectations + my pet peeves + my snarkyness all at once! It's just not fair.
If you really, really loved this book, I would highly recommend you skipping this review, because I'm not going to be all positive because I didn't love it. I ended the book angry, thinking it had gone from 4 stars to 2 stars in 50 pages.
Let's start with the bad things:
-I started out really hating the people in this book I thought I would like most - the Azure Spring crowd. I don't know why, but at the start of this book, the people who had once charmed me drove me mad. They were too sugar-sweet, too perfect, and too up in everyone else's business. I get small towns - they're charming and fun. But leave Thomas be! Just let him be miserable. None of your beeswax! They did grow back on me (that sounds ... interesting) by the end, but still. Annoying beginning. Margaret was especially annoying me.
-At the beginning, there's a scene where Thomas has to knock a guy out. But then we act like ... that shouldn't have happened? Don't get me wrong - I'm all for reserving anger when possible. But that was a, "No, you definitely need to knock that guy out" circumstance. Sorry, but it was.
-Penny takes her job WAY too seriously! And this is just a me perspective, as my mom (yes, I got frustrated enough to bring this up to my mom) agrees that, perhaps, in that era, letters were important enough that it was a job that needed done. But ... still. STILL. I love how Penny's forgettable best friend was like, "Wow, I don't even see the people behind the letters anymore. I'm not nearly as good a person as you are." Like ...?????? These are letters, not war victims, y'all.
-One does not simply become an author. Sorry. No. It's hard. It takes perseverance and passion. It requires more than, "Well, I said I am so now I am." xP
-Penny is living in a romantic paradise. Also, Thomas writes letters too well for the man he is. xD Okay, but like ... that whole element felt underplayed. Is the author saying that we ought to be more romantic? Or that Penny over-romanticized her life and this was a bad thing? If so, then there was no real consequences for her over-romanticizing EVERYTHING. I wanted her to get into big trouble so bad, but she didn't. UGH PENNY GROW SOME REALITY GLASSES AND TAKE A PEAK AT THE WORLD. There was a bit of a nod to reality and all, but it was cheapened by the fact that the conclusion was super easy. Like ... I cannot believe how easily this book resolved. It killed me inside. It was so idealistic and sickly sweet.
Which brings me to ...
My Biggest Problems:
-THE CLIMAX. Ugggghhh. I was already spoiled for the book by the time I reached this point (more on that when I talk about my biggest of all problem), so maybe that made me more critical ... but still.
Basically, (view spoiler)[the climax with Jeb, Eliza, Clara's father, Thomas, and the gang was HORRID! Over-dramatic, too easily solved, and eyeroll-worthy. HOW??? How is it SO bad when we know the author is capable of SO much more?? It was just ... ugh. Every moment I was blinking and winking my eyes, unable to believe this was what was really happening. (hide spoiler)]
Another minor detail about the climax: (view spoiler)[PUT CLARA'S FRICKEN FATHER IN JAIL. PUT. HIM. IN. JAIL. GRIEF IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO ACT OUT IN HORRID, LIFE-RUINING WAYS. Let's scream it for the kids in the back: GRIEF IS NOt AN EXCUSE TO ACT OUT IN HORRID, LIFE-RUINING WAYS. Even discounting the fact that Clara's death was SO not Thomas's fault that it's not even funny how dumb it is that even Thomas himself thought it was, her father is a LUNATIC. PUT HIM IN A MENTAL ASYLUM. THROW AWAY THE KEY. I kid you not. This man BURNT DOWN A MAN'S BARN, ALMOST KILLING THE MAN'S HORSE, HIS GIRLFRIEND'S DOG, HIS GIRLFRIEND, AND THE MAN HIMSELF!!!!!! That is psychopath behavior, y'all. IT IS. IT ISSSSS!!!! And no grief, nothing short of mental instability, which would require serious help to overcome, can excuse that behavior. (hide spoiler)]
No spoilers here, but let's have a quick talk about forgiveness vs. enabling. Forgiving someone is something you should do for your own mental sanity, because God said so (most important in the middle), and because you need forgiveness, too, for a bajillion other things.
Now, enabling is when you allow people to do some psycho and get away with it and omit punishments because ... why? (view spoiler)[Your thoughts weren't pure? Because you have money to rebuild a barn anyway? What if you hadn't had money to rebuild the barn/didn't have an alternate money-making scheme??? Would you have let him go so easily then? Also, PUT HIM IN JAIL, LET HIM ROT, UGGGGHH!!! (hide spoiler)] THERE IS LITERALLY NO REASON FOR THIS MADNESS.
But now I have my biggest problem ... this is a spoiler(ish), but I can state the basics: the author many times cheated us out of emotional, important scenes but relaying them via letter.
Now I get doing that with some of the Thomas stuff. But when your CLIMACTIC, RELATIONSHIP-RESOLVING, ALL-IMPORTANT, WHOLE BOOK IS BUILDING UP TO THIS MOMENT scene is relayed by LETTER, you have a problem. Because the rest of the book, the rest of the character development, the rest of everything feels wrong. It feels cheap. It feels like I missed a chapter. And I as a reader feel wronged, unimportant, like a friend shoved into a closet and not truly allowed into the characters' relationship, life, etc.
There are some things letters can't and shouldn't do, and portraying that scene was one of them. More details:
(view spoiler)[In this particular scene, as I said, the author had been building up and building up to this all-important, deal-breaking scene where Penny and Thomas discuss their pasts, their secrets, and basically EVERYTHING. Their relationship rides on this scene. The book rides on this scene.
And how do we get it? Via a letter Penny writes to Dinah, a friend of hers, about the conversation she had with Thomas.
HOW IN THE WORLD, HOW IN THE UNIVERSE, HOW IN REALMS REAL AND SPIRITUAL DID THIS HAPPEN?
I'm telling you, this conversation was the one who whole book was leading up to. For their relationship, it was the do or die, make or break scene.
And WE DIDN'T GET TO SEE IT! I was so furious I almost threw the book across the room and screamed.
HOW???? I don't blame the author for now seeing what a horrid mistake this was. She knows the characters. The scene already played out in her head. But how did editors miss this? HOW???
As I'm writing this, I am again angered.
Oh, the emotional cheat! Yes, I know letters are important in this story, but they're given too much screen time if they steal emotions, steal reality, steal awesomeness from the story. Also, if the main characters are together for much of the book, there is no NEED for these stinking letters!
But to have the all-important scene be cut off before it begins and relayed in boring, dry narrative (albeit Penny's voice which is fun when it's not ripping the heart, soul, and excitement out of the story as it was here) by the leading lady to her best friend play by play ...!!!
Even if I were to grant that the author has the right to steal life from the book and try to replicate it in a letter, there's a reality problem.
Now, I tell my best friend everything, but even I wouldn't share this with her. Did Penny tell Thomas she'd be sharing his backstory with her friends? What kind of relationship will you have if nothing is sacred to you? I would never tell Penny anything if I thought she was just going to turn around and tell it to everyone else she meets.
I AM SO MAD!
Ugh, I just can't stand it. I feel like simple words will never be enough to portray the cheat. In the letter, for instance, it mentions Thomas breaking down and crying.
All right. But we didn't see it. We didn't SEE him crying! How can I form an emotional bond with a character if you don't let me experience the scene?
I just ... ugh. This is not a good book for me to read because I like seeing character's emotions. I like reading about their grief, their joy, their every little thought. And yet the author decides I'm not allowed to view said all-important scene. I'm not allowed access.
For the rest of the book, I hated Penny and Thomas. Their every move felt unreal and stupid and without base because I never saw them have this huge, emotional scene. To me it never existed because all I saw was the author telling me it happened.
Look, I believe the author when she tells me it happened ... with my head. But my heart says, "No! They're not ready! We didn't see their special scene!"
...... I'd better stop. I'm just ranting. BUT WOW, this infuriated me! (hide spoiler)]
Just ... how. How did this amazing premise with amazing characters and amazing setup and an amazing setting and so much fun, emotional, and cool elements go so horribly astray?
Why did we have to settle for undercomplicated, overly easy conclusion? Why did the relationship development turn to fate for succor? Why did the themes fall flat on their face? Why did all the fun of the Dead Letter Office die a certain death?
I don't know. I'm sad, but already wanting the author's next story. I might reread The Hope of Azure Springs.
In conclusion: brilliant setup ... but it died....more
I have ... very mixed ratings about this book. My initial impression was to rate it 4 stars, briefly mention my problems, and praise the2/5 stars
I have ... very mixed ratings about this book. My initial impression was to rate it 4 stars, briefly mention my problems, and praise the author for her portrayal of recovery from domestic abuse.
Buttttt ... ugh. It wouldn't leave me alone! And the more I thought about it, the madder I got. And I know this is kinda a personal opinion so let me start with:
This is a 4-star book for most people. Just not for Kell. So keep that in mind if you loved the book and are likely to get offended. (Though I think a LOT of people will agree with me!)
Seriously, though, the characters and plot were pretty well developed except toward the end, but it got put together after that pretty well. I also feel like the author was trying to be mysterious even though we already knew All The Stuff so it was confusing what was going on ...
But I was trying to be positive for a minute.
Let me see ...
Positives: -It kept my interest. -I liked Aunt Henny. She's stupid cliche, but I don't care. Love her. Perfection. -The Quilting Circle Gals were very cool. Love that community environment kinda thing. -Like I said, all the portrayal of domestic abuse PTSD was very well done (based on my research ... I have done way too much research), and I'm glad to see realistic portrayals in fiction. -Overall, it was a sweet little romance with deeper themes.
But now ... on to the negatives. And I'm going to take this in sections, so I'll start with little things I didn't care for.
Little Things I Didn't Care For:
-EDRIC! OMW! I did appreciate SOME things about him (if I'd really hated him, I would have stopped reading), but ... ugggghhhhh. What a wishy-washy, beaten-in-to-the-ground, undecided, weak, WEAK man masquerading as a dashing hero! Ugggghh! C'mon, man! He can't stand up to anyone, and he acts like a petty teen when he does stand up to anyone (which is just the bad guys, not people in her personal life like his father or children).
I was sooooo mad about the way he constantly pandered to his daughters! GROW A PAIR! GROW A PAIR, EDRIC, AND MAYBE I'LL LIKE YOU. (Except I won't 'cause later when he was decisive he was a decisive boar.)
I'm sorry, but the most annoying thing in the world is someone who doesn't stick up for himself. I know, I know, he was supposed to be in a manipulative relationship, buttttt ... given that it's been 2 years, supposedly he's also the Sheriff (being Sheriff is a very easy job in this town, though, I guess, AS HE NEVER SHERIFFS, AND I AT TIMES FORGOT HE WAS A SHERIFF), and he's supposed to be recovering ...?
It was just underplayed, and his "anxiety" was overdone. I don't know, I just really hated him. He didn't strike me as real. Lily did, he didn't.
I just was waiting for the author to show the girls acting petty or misbehaving or SOMETHING, and Edric going, "Wait, no, being a parent isn't pampering. Love isn't overindulgence." And yet it's "would you like some more candy?" and "I cannot, literally cannot, turn you down if you want to go on a picnic ..." WHAT!? Noooo!
I just really am mad right now at him. Ughhhh. And I'll talk later about his BIGGGESSSTTT fault which my 73% of my reason for the poor rating. I just can't stand this guy.
I guess this wasn't a little thing. But still.
Pa. Remind me of his point again? Is he just there to be super annoying and judgemental and boss Edric around and show how Edric sucks as a man and is basically just a fourteen-year-old boy with a squeaky voice and illusions of manhood? (Having a deep voice and being tall and handsome does not a man make, btw.) But yeah, I didn't like Pa.
The children. Toby, Nancy, and Estella were all too sugar sweet for my taste - except that they constantly manipulate their parents. And their parents ignore this manipulation because their respective spouses were manipulative. (Makes sense. Continue the cycle. Cycles are nice. xD)
Now, I get that at the start it would be realistic for the parents to constantly give into these sugar sweet children AND for the children to be sugar sweet (overly so, goopy distasteful sugar sweet) because of the abuse and all that ...
BUT the author never showed or even addressed the fact that this was going on. Uhhh ... I guess it's okay for children to be manipulative and get away with it? Just not adults? Okay. Fine. Whatever.
Secrets??? I felt that the author was deliberately leaving out details that would simply clarify things and which made it confusing even to the end what exactly was going on. And that's okay, if you ... hadn't already given those details ... and were acting like the reader doesn't know them or at least suspect them ...?
I was just a bit confused throughout about what I was supposed to know, what I wasn't supposed to know, who people were, how their lives worked, etc.
Assumptions...??? This is just one random thing, but Henny randomly is like, "Oh, Lily could be pregnant." And then ... Edric takes this as gospel fact? Like it wasn't just a random supposition which Lily herself has never alluded to? Going as far as to (view spoiler)[repeatedly be like "oh she can't do that in her condition!" (hide spoiler)] and (view spoiler)[INCLUDING IT IN HIS PROPOSAL? And that's when she's like, "... dude, I'm not pregnant." I really wanted her to be like, "Do I look pregnant to you???" Or to at least question why he thought she was pregnant. But instead she's like, "Yay proposal!" (hide spoiler)] That was succcchhhh a weird convo?? Completely blew me out of the "romanticness" of the moment.
Has ... Edric not been around a pregnant woman before? Like ... his wife? Remember her? She existed. (Also, I'm so sick of widowers who are like, "Ooh, what's a woman? I have never been acquainted with one before! How strange and unheard of!" Dude ... you were married???)
Anddddd... now the biggies.
The Biggest Problem kinda ties into everything, but it is also a spoiler. But I feel like it just completely unravels the book and my desire to love the book, so I'll post it below.
(view spoiler)[I'm an author. I know a lot about plot structures, therefore. I even teach writing, so I go over it a million times a year with different students.
So basically, at ~75% of a book, we hit our third plot point, which is a major low point for the protagonists before they head on to the final battle (climax) and defeat the antagonist (noting that an antagonist isn't always a supervillain - in this case it was like ... oh, I don't want to pick this apart, but Lily's ... life ... was the antagonist? Kinda?).
Anywaysss, at that 75% mark (it was about 73% or 76% depending on what you want to count as the exact moment - it's not specific - and yes, I remembered - I'm a writer, give me a break), there is a COMMON romance cliche that I just ... hate. Hate, hate, hate. I can't stand it!
What is it? Well, at 75%, in a romance novel, sometimes something huge and trust-rendering will happen to our lovely couple causing them to split up. And though it's important for something big and bright to happen at the third plot point, I dislike it when the main characters don't trust each other.
My rule for my couples (in my romances) is that if you can't trust each other (even if you struggle to find that trust at first) by the 75% mark, you shouldn't be getting married at the 100% mark. Nope, nope, nope.
Here's how it goes:
Lily's brother-in-law comes into town to get some info out of her. After he leaves, because Lily believes she killed her husband (he was strangling her son, and she hit him, knocking him unconscious, and ran), she is afraid her brother-in-law will call the police on her now that he knows her location (though this was never well-clarified until the end). So she runs.
All natural. I would've run, too. All the way to the Pacific and on to China. (Although I also would've checked for a pulse. But whatever. Checking for a pulse is unladylike, I guess.) (Note to self: if you ever knock someone unconscious, they might not be dead. Do not assume death.)
But my problem is not with Lily but rather with Edric. Again. Edric, Edric, Edric, man of a thousand mysteries! The most mysterious being ... why are you like you are?
So imagine this: a woman shows up in your town. She has been badly abused and so has her son. Both show serious signs of PTSD. You get to know them. She proves to be a gentle woman who cares for your children, is a great mom, and is always very kind and seems to be working through her PTSD is a pretty healthy manner. You go through a lot together and learn to trust. Then a mysterious man arrives in town, and shortly after, she runs, leaving a note that said she killed her husband, accidentally, and she's very sorry.
What would your reaction be? Knowing her past, seeing her care for her son, knowing that she just was seriously blackmailed by her brother-in-law, and having learned to TRUST her, wouldn't you be like, "Well, there's more to it than that. It was probably self-defense, given that they both have choke-marks among other things ALL OVER THEIR BODIES. I'm going to save her and help sort this out!"
But noooooo, Edric doesn't react like that! He shows the Typical I Don't Trust You At The Third Plot Point reaction and goes the complete opposite direction.
His repetitive, annoying, unbelievably hateful thoughts are along these lines: "I can't believe I let such a wicked woman get close to me. I can't believe she's a cold-blooded murderer. She killed her husband, and she probably planned to kill me and my girls! Actually, her son probably isn't hers because the resemblance isn't striking. He's probably the son of another marriage, and she probably killed her husband and kidnapped him. She was probably planning to do the same to me and my girls."
Wait, WHAT!?!?!?!!?!? I WAS SOOOO FURIOUS! I don't care about his reasoning. I literally DON'T. He is a hateful, suspicious, WRONG man. I was hoping he would just randomly die. DIE DIE DIE EDRIC!
Ughhhh can I even begin to express my disgust and hatred for this man at this point? But no, it gets worse.
I would have had a lot more respect for the author if she had chosen to NOT make Tobias (Lily's husband) die in a different way. Let Lily have killed him in self-defense! Let Edric stand up for her! Let them have to show the courts that it was an act of self-defense with no malicious intent! ANYTHING!
But instead the author shoehorned a thingy in which the brother-in-law shot the husband? What? Okay, if that's true and the law had proof of it and was pursuing him, then why was he just wandering around using his real name and telling everyone what he was doing? Is he stupid? Why would he just wander back into the city where he was known for killing a man? If he's stupid, then how did he come up with the whole plan ...? It makes no sense!
I was mad, all right? I was just plain mad! This all makes no sense!
So basically, EVENTUALLY Edric hears that the brother-in-law killed the husband not her and forgives her. Like ... what? Noooooo noooooooooooo! At this point I was furious. So apparently if a man is killing your son and you hit him over the heat and knock him out (and think you killed him), you are unforgivable?
NO! Lily had no other choice, and whether he dies or not doesn't matter! She did the right thing. SHE DID THE RIGHT THING. Edric, I hate you. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you. What if Lily gets in that situation again somehow? What if she hesitates this time, and her son dies? DO YOU WANT THAT EDRIC???
I don't care if he didn't know the circumstances. He should have trusted her! Knowing her character inside and out as he did, he should have TRUSTED her. And that's why this whole book just fell apart for me. Because at that Third Plot Point, the trust issues were so bad that these characters ... literally should never be together. Ever. (Beside the fact that they make a very poor parenting team, but eh. The trust issues are worse. You can work through the parenting, probably.)
And you know what makes me even madder? Lily is like, "Well, yeah, that's justified."
She should have turned him down for doubting her. I wouldn't be with a dude who believed those things about me! Imagine if you're married and you ... I don't know ... go for a walk ... and he comes home and is like, "She's left us! She's never coming back! She's probably kidnapped our children! She's a serial killer! She's not even a woman!" It's just as outlandish, and it's the kind of whining manipulative people use to manipulate their victims! So they're trapped in a cycle, really. Uggghhh, I hate this so much!
Now, there's this movie called High Society. It was released in 1956, and is like a comedy romance with a lot of great songs. But anyways, there's one part of it where a fiance believes the worst of the woman he's going to marry (thinking she slept with another man "ON THE VERY EVE OF OUR WEDDING," as he puts it). This proves to be untrue, but she turns him down like so:
Him: Well, since nothing really happened perhaps we just better drop the whole subject. Her: George, I don't want you to marry me because you think I'm now worthy of you. It would've meant much more if you had married me because I was unworthy.
She says that the only reason she DIDN'T end up sleeping with the guy was because he was honorable (she was drunk) and didn't try anything, so this is a different circumstance, but still.
He goes on to say: In spite of the circumstances, I'm big enough to overlook a single indiscretion. [George is kinda being a jerk here 'cause he's literally just talking about a kiss but you know whatever George you do you.] Her: No, you're too good for me, George. I couldn't bear a perfect man.
Since he's kind of a pompous jerk, this is semi-sarcastic, but y'know. It reminded me of this because ... like ... just don't hang out with a guy who believes the worst of you like that. Even when he knows you're better than that.
And ... that's it. Wow. That got ranty. But you know what? I just ... ugh. I'm sorry. The spoiler tag contains one of my biggest pet peeves, but the other stuff was bad, too. Especially Edric. *growls*
Sooooooo ... yep. I shall leave now. Those are my honest thoughts on this messed-up book!
Faith Alone is one of the most heart-stopping, ground-breaking, truth-telling books I’ve read in a long time … but it’s not preachy.
Faith Alone is Christian fiction, but it’s not cheesy, doesn’t tie everything up in a nice frilly bow, and doesn’t skip around tough issues. It delves right into the messy world we live in, but it isn’t dirty or even overly disturbing.
This book takes on issues like purity, abortion, teen motherhood, messy families, and rakish fops (shh, I’m a historical fiction girl) without trembling.
That sounds like a parade of preaching, downer-ing, and boredom, but nope. It’s also an entertaining (sometimes exciting, sometimes humorous, some tear-jerking) novel.
I was really impressed with the author achieving that delicate balance! She tells the story without judgement or turning to the reader with an “the moral is …” monologue. And I’m glad, because we need more books like that.
So thanks for that, Ruth Meyer! The world needs it. Christians need it. People in these tough, crazy, awful, amazing situations need it.
Some random other things I enjoyed:
-Learning a bit more about the Lutheran church/faith. A couple of my dearest friends are Lutherans, but they don’t bring it up a lot except in the general Christian stuff context. So I’ve always been curious. Though I could never be Lutheran, I still love learning about different sects of the church (or however you say that … denominations, I guess?). (BTW, remind me that one of my characters is Lutheran if you ever see me around. I forgot for half a book, and I still need to dive into revisions …)
-Siblingness. Siblings are tough. This book is realistic. I mean, they’re not as dysfunctional as my sibling relationships, but it’s still fun to see them quarreling and all. It’s not all hugs and sugar.
-Actually sticking together. I get tired of families, even in Christian fiction, always falling apart at the slightest trial. Oftentimes that happens – but there ARE families that stay together no matter what. Who become stronger as a group. So I’m glad to see that!
-Money is actually a thing. … unless it’s a major plot point, it seems like people forget how expensive things are in novels. Just me who sees that? A’right. Anyways, yep, I was glad that money matters as simple as groceries being spendy were discussed.
-ALL. THE. FAMILY. TALKING. I am so glad I’m not the only one with a whacky, loud, noisy, crazy, awful, perfect extended family.
Another DNF! My fault not the book's. I got to about 18% then grew tired of the constant, heavy preaching from Akira. I also kindaJust not in the mood
Another DNF! My fault not the book's. I got to about 18% then grew tired of the constant, heavy preaching from Akira. I also kinda knew how the plot was gonna go.
I liked Akira somewhat. And Gabe didn't seem like a bad sort. And the setting was intriguing. But ... eh. I'm just so not in the mood for the spiritual content. Will return to this later!...more
I liked parts of this book and disliked others. I think I was at about 50/50 with just the teeniest lean towards things I2.5/5 stars
Okay, here goes!
I liked parts of this book and disliked others. I think I was at about 50/50 with just the teeniest lean towards things I disliked. I wouldn't read it again, but I'm not sad I read it.
Let's just get the problems out of the way and talk about positives.
Negatives:
-There were some times when the way characters were talking seemed out of error or more American than British, and it was a bit jarring.
-There was a LOT of head-hopping. Basically, if the two leads were together, you could never know whose head we were in. As we all know, head-hopping is quite jarring and leads to constant confusion and the inability to really get settled in any one person's POV.
-The first 10% or so was quite fast, with non-stop crazy decisions (no character thought development beforehand, which I think was what made a lot of their random, sudden actions seem forced and far too quick), then for a long time the book dragged on, feeling quite boring, then the last 25% or so was quite well done and really saved the story for me.
-Random POVs outside the main characters, which I usually wouldn't point out, but they just felt strange with all the head-hopping and whatnot.
-The marriage between Helen and Jedrick was quite forced ... and I can't believe for a moment that it wasn't a huge mistake. Yeah, it turned out all right, for some reason, but it was pretty insane - and quite not-God-consulted, though it would seem neither protagonist was super close to God at the time? Not sure.
-I felt cheated on the character development. It seemed like a lot was let out, and things like Jedrick's emotional state was rather glossed over. He seemed happy and bubbly even though Kat (sorry, gonna call him that) described him as silent at one point. He never really showed through his POV or Helen's that he was actually experienced any of the feelings people kept telling me he was experiencing.
-Basically, I just felt like a lot of Jedrick and Helen's grief wasn't truly sucked for all it was worth.
And with that, let's move on to positives.
Positives:
-The last 25% or so was sweet and actiony in turns and overall really well done. I loved the conclusions the characters arrived at in the end, etc.
-It was quite clean, which I appreciated. Most arranged marriages like to dip into sex scenes, but this one didn't even go there.
-Throughout Jedrick was a sweet guy. I really liked him! He was always positive. Maybe a little faultless, but that's okay.
-I liked Kat! The nickname the kids gave him, especially.
-The historical details were great. It was a different perspective, and not one I've read before. I loved all the details about the Polish pilots and whatnot, as well as about the bombings in London.
And ... I think that's it! This book may be for some, but it probably wasn't for me. Still, I thought it was a decent read.
Souls Astray is available on Amazon now. So let me share why it might be a good idea for you to not buy this book!
You see, I know I have someSouls Astray is available on Amazon now. So let me share why it might be a good idea for you to not buy this book!
You see, I know I have some younger readers, so I wanted you all to know ... this may not be a good book for you to read if you're under the age of about fifteen, though that's up to you (or your parents).
I've decided to copy my author's note below, which will be at the beginning of every edition of this novel.
***
You’re about to enter a book that, though very tame by secular standards, contains characters and situations who are more real and gritty than in my other novels.
If you’re okay with that, awesome! Read on. If not, I just want to briefly warn you that the characters are messy, even though my description of their actions is as free of details as I can make it.
This book was inspired heavily by books such as The Great Gatsby and All Quiet on the Western Front. WWI through the 1920s is an era I don’t see written about often enough. And in fact, not a lot of people seem to remember much about it.
I was one of those people. When I was eleven or twelve, I was discussing the 1920s with some online folks and called it a “relatively peaceful era.”
Oh, boy! It was anything but. Between the technological advances, recovery from the war (both physical and psychological), rebellion against tradition, and the gilded glamor, the world was a mess—and anything but peaceful.
When studying WWI and the decades preceding and following it, I came across all the fascinating history of the era. Books like the ones mentioned before as well as television shows like Downton Abbey helped me form a complete picture.
The Great Gatsby in particular is a favorite of mine. It shows so much of the desperation and yet the inability to forget, of how fancy and pretty you can make secret pain look like … and of course, how different everything is after a war.
In short, this is a story of WWI even though much of it takes place afterwards. It's a romance—but it’s also not. It's a novel about coming of age in all the wrong ways.
It’s a story about how real the words “Never Forget” can be for so many. They will never forget … and I should hope we won’t, either.
***
So here's a complete content guide:
Language: none
Violence: a war happens, mentions of death and violence related to it, though none of the POV (point of view) characters actually see it, a man takes a stance against the war and ends up being beaten in an alley for it {not on screen but his bloodied face is discussed later}
Sexual: kisses are discussed and happen (between married and unmarried couples); a kiss leans towards the detailed side (by Christian fiction standards); a couple discusses wanting to go further than kissing but decide not to; a man pressures a woman to have sex with him (implied, he doesn't touch her or anything), but she refuses; a character expresses the opinion that dating for fun is worthless and is promptly ignored by our protagonist (le sigh); a character says she doesn't "sleep around" and this pops up in her life several times, both as friends and "friends" pull her in different directions and as her own morals tend to fluctuate without God in her life; meanwhile, another character believes that even kisses should only be given with serious commitment (ahhh, Troy, you're so perfect).
Other: talk about the Spanish Flu epidemic; a woman is shown dying of it; a family is dysfunctional and tears at each other a lot; lots of people fighting (verbally); people are opposed to God and express disgust for Christianity; the only "Christians" a character knows verbally abuse and judge her; a girl is very rebellious toward her mother (this is actually treated as wrong haha); lots of Christians being judgmental and unforgiving, honestly (though there are some good Christians, too); drinking is mentioned (... there is a vineyard, after all ...); abortion is briefly alluded to, treated as wrong, and a woman is antagonistic towards her child and pregnancy and all that in general (though eventually that does change a bit).
Basically, a lot of messed-up stuff. However, I hope that everything is shown in the light of God and with proper consequences.
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38 & 39)
Note: I've listed anything anyone might find offensive, but since I'm not, oh, opposed to mentioning coffee (completely random example), if I missed something, I apologize. Personally, I do not believe coffee is evil. I will even go so far as to say I support the use of coffee in daily life. But for the sake of the discerning reader:
Other Other: coffee is drunk. No stance is taken on whether it is okay to drink coffee. You could say it's sort of a lukewarm. Except the coffee, which is always hot.
(For those of you who are confused, that was a joke.) (I'm at the point where I have to tell people when I'm joking, lol.)
Anyways, I really appreciate y'all's support, and I wanted you to be informed before you decide to read this book ... or not! I'm fine either way. <3
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts areRead the review on my blog.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Title: Live Without You
Author: Sarah Grace Grzy
Genre: Christian romance (contemporary)
Era: contemporary
Setting: United States
Publisher: Sarah Grace Grzy
Source: from the publisher
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Live Without You was a nice, quick read for me on a winter afternoon. I finished it in a couple hours, which is one of the best things about novellas—they almost never drag!
Now, this book isn’t at all my genre. I really struggle to read most contemporary novels … in fact, I can only think of one or two that I didn’t put down two or three chapters in, bored to death!
However, this didn’t happen to me with Live Without You. I actually got through the whole story—and fast! So I was thrilled as, though I love the author very much and knew I wanted to adore the book, I was rather afraid it might drag for me!
It didn’t. It was a quick read the starts out with a bang (*winces at the bad joke*) and didn’t drag once. I was never like, “Well, I absolutely need to put this down …” Instead, I wanted to finish it!
Gotta love the characters …
I especially liked how Piper and Ezra would just hang out—getting coffee (haha) or pizza—and how he went out of his way to take care of her! Good job, Ez. Good job.
I personally didn’t much care for the main character, Piper Redding, though I loved her name. But that’s just because we’re very different in personality and tastes and all, so I was just like, “Ehh …” It wasn’t the characters’ fault; she was quite real!
I did find myself like Ezra a lot! (And again, that name!) His relationship with his dad was awesome, and I liked his friend a lot, too. I feel like more delving into his backstory could’ve been done, mostly because he got me interested! (e.g. what? There wasn’t MORE? 😝)
What a fantastic debut!
Honestly, I was hugely impressed with this book! Debuts are often good, and even show a lot of promise, but it’s rarely that you go, “Well, this didn’t even have to be a debut.” The author writes like she’s a lot more experienced than I know her to be … this could be her fifth book! Or more.
But yeah, that was an awkward way of saying … the author did an amazing job, and I am so proud of her, and I want to give her a big hug and a pat on the back and a cookie!
Now, the setting—I was thrilled with this! Northwest, y’all! That’s good to see. I feel like I need to read more books set close to me.
Ah, the cover …
On a random side note: that cover! I can’t stop looking at it. It’s absolutely gorgeous! I love the font choices and all … it looks great. *applauds SG* (By the way, we’re working on Reveries a bit together … she’s such a delight to work with!)
So, mostly, this book wasn’t for me in genre or themes, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves sweet contemporary romances with serious themes and medical details!
Mostly, I’m just so, so impressed with the quality, content, and themes of this adorable story. Wow. It was great.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Welllll ... I know there are lots of people who loved this book, but I ... didn't. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood. I have issues with it, but most ofWelllll ... I know there are lots of people who loved this book, but I ... didn't. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood. I have issues with it, but most of my low rating comes from a simple fact: I was bored. Bored out of my mind.
I cannot be bored while reading. And I rarely am - I mean, I read lots of thick tomes which other people think are dull as dishwater. (See The Scarlet Letter, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, etc.)
But this one just ... bored me. With the characters, with the plot, with the writing ...
And that's not really the book's fault. Lots of people loved this book. I was not one of them. I disliked it greatly. I didn't hate it; there wasn't anything hateable. But I did dislike it.
Before I begin, for the readers who loved this book, here are a couple positives:
Good Stuff:
-It was fairly well-researched as far as the plot, the setting, etc. It was realistic. It gave a very clear idea of the bloody reality of WWI ... which was one of the most horrific conflicts ever. The author did a good job with that as far as I can tell.
-All the plot points seemed to be in order. I know, because I was constantly checking the percentage on my Kindle to see how much I had left. xD
-There was some throwbacks to Downton Abbey. (Too many for my taste, given the book, but eh.)
-There was nothing wrong with it. Not really.
Bad Stuff:
-Gwyn. I'm sorry, and I know lots of people liked her ... but I just can't. I'm sorry. I'm sooo done with this kind of historical heroine.
What kind of historical heroine, you ask? Here are the five requirements of this type of historical heroine:
1. She will have a weird, "masculine" (for the era) hobby, and she will be unashamedly confused by people who don't get it. Essentially, she's a special snowflake who is "different" from everyone else. ("THERE MUST BE MORE THAN THIS PROVINCIAL LIIIIIFFFFEEE!") 2. At some point, she will decide to wear trousers/pants. It is inevitable. And anyone who wants her to not is being ridiculously old-fashioned (except that she IS LIVING IN AN OLD-FASHIONED ERA ... but whatever). 3. She will have a dream. (SHE JUST WANTS TO SEE THOSE FLOATING LANTERNS GLEAAAM! No, wait, that's wrong ...) But of course she'll either give up or adapt that dream the instant a guy comes into her life, or she'll spend the book trying to decide whether love is more important than said dream. (Psst, it is!) 4. She's a tomboy most of the time, but sometimes it's hard to tell. It's almost like either the author wasn't a tomboy and wrote a tomboy and didn't get the tomboyness ... OR the author didn't bother with consistency ... OR the author is a tomboy but doesn't translate it well to paper. Any of those are options. 5. ONLY her one true love will understand her. While everyone else thinks she's quirky, he thinks she's original and special.
Usually, I'm chill with this. This is the way books are written. Who am I to stand in their way? But this time? It just grated on my nerves. Predictable. The same as every other historical heroine. I wanted her to be different; I wanted her to NOT be cookie-cutter. But she was. So.
-The kisses were so randomly ... kissy? Like, y'all got it right on the first try, I guess, but like why are you kissing right now? Stop? I do not understand how your relationship got from friends to lovers so quick. But whatever.
-The romance. I don't know why, but it just didn't seem real to me? It never hopped off the page and into my mind. Also, it doesn't count if the hero JUST like the heroine because she's different from every other girl he's met. Why? BECAUSE YOU'VE USED THAT LINE TOO MANY TIMES, HISTORICAL HERO. Not every girl can be special or different. In fact, most of them aren't.
Well, let me correct that. Everyone is special or different. A lot of girls try to be something they aren't. But why is the historical heroine ALWAYS the person who DOESN'T try to be what they aren't?! Like, seriously. Girls nowadays need more roll models of women who were like ... debutantes ... and they went along with EVERYTHING (like modern girls following the fashion magazines and celebrities) and ... they changed.
That would be more powerful, imo. I'm sick of the special heroines. :P I want someone normal for a change. I'd rather read about Cecelia, who seemed badly abused both by the book and the characters.
Which brings me to another point ...
-Cecelia. Feels like the book wanted me to hate her, but I was not hating her, so I was like, ".......... I don't think I got the hate-Cecelia?" She was there because the Dashing Hero Was So Dashing that Another Woman Must Want Him, but ... I mean, the poor girl left behind all her riches to become a nurse and rocked it? Given her background? She deserved more. Cecelia should've married William and let Gwyn go back to her beloved cars. xD
Sooooo ... book about Cecelia, please? I would read that.
-I don't know any other reasons why I dislike this book. I just did. I don't need a reason. I am a woman with a brain and reasonable ability; I'm going to stop whining and find something to do. Like leave a bad review of a book even though it wasn't bad in and of itself. I just didn't like it. xD
Random Stuff:
-I literally cringed when the book quoted Matthew and Mary's song: "If you were the only girl in the world, and I were the only boy." (STOP. This couple does not deserve their song!) Then at the end the author said she was inspired by Downton Abbey, and I was like, "... inspired by being a lose term ..."
-I skim-read the last ~60%. Anything that was descriptiony, basically.
-I loved the author's note.
-Again, the history was good.
So yep. That's all I have to say. (All being a ... word.)
I hope you enjoy this book! You probably will. Lots of people did! I just didn't. :)
In this book, Margaret develops a friendship with a neighbor – a male neighbor – and it’s treated like she committed adultery. However, men who actually commit adultery are forgiven and the women who don’t immediately forgive them are judged and reprimanded. Uh, excuse me??? It was terribly mixed up. In addition, there was just too much unnecessary drama between Margaret and her husband – not even related to the adultery incident – and the content SOARED in this one.
Content: 4/5. Multiple mentions of marital relations/when and how a married couple had sex/etc. A character commits adultery and then talks about it when his wife, giving her a complete account of the event. It’s glossed over. Meanwhile, Margaret’s friendship with a man which resulted in no inappropriate behavior is blown out of proportion, and this is what causes the break in their marriage. Um, excuse me?...more
We all knew the love interest wasn’t going to die.
Okay, but honestly, didn’t we all know that going in?! ;) In this book, Molly is perfect, Bridget is nonexistent, Colleen is constantly guilted by everyone even though she doesn’t deserved it, and Margaret worries. And the mother is still stupid. So.
Content: 2/5. Romance, war stuff, no outright negative content....more
Second book shows Margaret becoming annoying and includes more typos.
In the second book, it seemed to drag a bit, and I really came to dislike Margaret, who is an unrepentant worrier. Also, there mother is the worst mother in the history of mothers. Please grow up a little, woman, and support your family! Also, someone edit this series.
Content: 2/5. Romance once again, and some references to immoral movie stars. However, no outright content....more
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Title: A Return of Devotion
Author: Kristi Ann Hunter
Series: Haven Manor, #2
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Era: 1810s (Regency)
Setting: England, countryside
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Source: from NetGalley in exchange for honest review
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
5 Reasons You Should Read A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter
1: If you love historical romances, the Regency era, amazing Christian themes, realistic characters, sweet children, and books that beautifully balance humor and seriousness.
Honestly, this is without a doubt one of the best Regency romances I’ve ever read. It has the best themes, the best characters, and the best plot! It’s emotional without being melodramatic and touches your heart without being preachy!
2: If you want to read about one of the most realistic, role-model female protagonists EVER.
Honestly, there are so many great things about Daphne! She is an angel from Heaven, but at the same time, she’s real. She’s not perfect … but she can teach us so many things about being a woman just through her actions, personality, and opinions.
-She isn’t ashamed to cry. -Quiet and takes time to think things out. -Actually loving. -Not particularly selfish or prideful. -She’s a good mom—to a whole bunch of kids! -Can recognize her own strengths and weaknesses … most of the time. -She’s just different from most historical heroines. Not cliche at all! And that makes me happy inside. -I don’t want to venture into spoiler land, but she also learns some great lessons and learns to value herself more. Love it!
3: The premise for this whole series is fantastic.
This sweet and clean serious hosts some AMAZING themes in the two books (a novella) that I’ve read thus far.
Orphaned or might-as-well-be-orphaned children are one of my passions, and I would love to be involved in something like Haven Manor when I become an adult. I just really think kids need to be given more of a chance than they are.
This series so far has explored different angles of moving on from the past and embracing who you are in Christ, and I love it!
I can’t wait to see what book 3 brings us, especially since Jess is such an interesting character. (Not my favorite, but eh. I don’t know why she rubs me wrong … maybe it’ll be different from her POV.)
But, basically, love this series, love Haven Manor, and love the girls in it! (Definitely go back and read book 1 if you haven’t already; it’s fantastic!)
4: WILLIAM IS AMAZING!
He’s a strong, amazing, godly man! And I know he has his faults, but he is also sooo sweet and supportive and gentle and AWESOME.
“Awesome” and “Amazing” are two great words for William. He’s just … wow. I really love William! His POV kept rivaling Daphne’s for my favorite. I loved them both, honestly, and I love them for each other even more so. ❤
One of the best things about William was his determination to take responsibility—not just for his own actions but for those of his family members. He truly is a hero, and a fighter, and I love him for that!
Too many people are self-focused and deny responsibility for others, and even shirk their own duties. Not William! He does a great job.
AND … HE WOULD MAKE SUCH AN AMAZING DAD! Okay, but am I wrong when I say there is nothing more attractive in a man than just being an amazing dad-figure!? We need more good dads in this world.
5: It was impossible to put down!
I know not everyone has the same reading taste, but for me, it was one of those books where you just … you can’t stop reading it!
I read this book in almost six hours, staying up until … *drumroll* … 5 AM! Wow. That is literally when a lot of people get up.
Once I started the book, I had to finish it. There was no other option available but to read on and on and on.
And yes, the late hour was my fault—I shouldn’t have started it at 11:30. But you know what? Had to be done!
So yes, those are my five main reasons you should read A Return of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter. And a lot of them, in different ways, apply to book 1, too.
Honestly, I loved book 2 more than book 1, but they were both 5-star reads which I would highly recommend!
More Reasons Why I Loved A Return of Devotion:
-The situations with the young servants and William’s reaction to the absurdity that is Haven Manor cracked me up.
-Benedict is one of the most amazing kiddos in the world. (p.s. for those of you who noticed, I have it straight from the author that his initials were not intentional. *coughs and dies* Though it gave me a good chuckle while reading!)
-The ending scenes were amazing! All the crazyness with eVeRyOnE who could possible show up showing up all at once was aMaZiNg.
-William is awesome. Did I mention that before?
-Daphne is also fantastic.
-Daphne’s father is similarly fantastic! I loved everything about this guy. Like, yeah, he wasn’t perfect, but as far as dad’s go, especially given the era, I give him an A+.
-The series features other relationships besides romance—mother to son, daughter to father, friendships between people of all shapes and sizes, etc.
-The contrast between book 1 and book 2—Kit focuses on the mothers, Daphne focuses on the children—is awesome. (I personally couldn’t care less about the mothers, haha—#TeamDaphne, I guess???)
-The author actually cares about putting God into the book. She doesn’t just have the characters give an occasional nod to Him, as is required in Christian fiction—“Oh, by the way, God, prayer, blahblahblah, now back to the story!” Mrs. Hunter actually takes the time to weave elements of her faith into the plot, the characters, and of course the theme!
So, basically, there were tons of amazing things about this book (and a lot of them apply to book 1 and the prequel novella, as well, if you want to start at the beginning of the series).
I can’t wait for book 3, and I’m so grateful to NetGalley for giving me the eARC and then to Bethany House for sending me a paperback copy with which to reread my favorite parts!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
***
Original Review January 1st, 2019:
So good I had to wait until 2019 to mark it as read so I could count it in my "Top 2019 Books." xP
Review to come - but how shall I write it? It shall just be incoherent squealing. I have no negatives. I loved this book half to death - I stayed up until 5 AM reading it, after all, finishing it in about 7 hours. (Which is pretty good; I'm not a fast reader, haha!)
Anyway, yes, I shall try to review this soon, but I really don't know what to say!
FAVORITE THINGS --
-WILLIAM, who is honestly super sweet idek -DAPHNE, who is the best motherly creature every and she's also super brave and her imagination is amazing (I cannot not be aware of my surroundings so I found it super interesting) and she's just the sweetest girl ever -- but without a doubt the worst housekeeper. -BENNEDICT. OMW. Sweet dear boy. <3 I feel bad for him, but still ... #STRENGTH -But ... did the author realize ... his initials??? xD :P -Daphne's dad, actually. He was a sweet gent. -Seeing Kit and Graham again, even briefly. Argggg, these two! Also, Graham cracks me up. Like, "Oh, dear, everyone's fainting. *glances about* Better stop William from killing his cousin ..." -THAT WHOLE LAST SCENE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY AWESOME. I mean, it wasn't the last scene, bUt LeGiT EvEryOne SHOweD uP anD wAs AwEsOmE!
Okay, I'm done.
I don't like ... Jess? Is her name Jess? Or something like that? Anyway, I don't like her - and I don't know why because you'd think that'd be JUST my kind of character, but she rubs me wrong??? I don't know why! She's even a lot like me! But maybe she's just like ... Idek! Anyone else with me on this? I JUST DISLIKE HER.
Source: from author in exchange for an honest critique. No review required and no compensation exchanged.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon by Angela R. Watts
“… the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” ~ Psalms 91:13
Edward Prosner is going to steal from the small town mayor of Fall Springs, North Carolina. He’s got a flawless plan of action and is determined to return honor and justice to his father’s good name. The problem he faces? He needs a date for the mayor’s dinner party.
Lucy Levitt is a huge romantic at heart, but with her family’s ranch and her part-time job, she has no time for dating. She believes God will place her soulmate in her life when the time is right. When the new man in town asks her out, how can she say no?
The first date seems ordinary enough, but then they begin to realize that they can’t fight their dragons alone.
Review:
I originally read The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon as a beta-reader for Angela. Though not quite in its completed form then, it was amazing!
It was immediately the kind of book one begins and goes, “Hey, I gotta keep reading!” This was mostly due to the writing style, but it wasn’t long until the characters, setting, and plot dragged me down, and I was a goner!
You may think I’m biased. After all, the author is a very close, very dear friend to me and sister in Christ. I beta-read this book and have since helped the author get ready for publication and organized her blog tour.
However … this review contains my honest opinions. It really is good. I promise. Read it yourself if you’re not convinced!
PLOT: 4/5 Wow … definitely not what I was expecting!
Well, I guess I wasn’t sure what I was expecting going in. The only other story I’ve read by my friend Ang, Seek, was of a completely different genre (more spy thriller than romance, haha, and certainly a bit darker!).
I knew Ang and I think a lot alike when it comes to romance in books, so I wasn’t concerned about that, but … I was wondering what all was going on in my action/adventure-writing friend’s mind! Contemporary Christian romance? Like a Hallmark power-puff thing??!!
Turns out, there was a beautiful, lazy Southern summer romance with amazing Christian themes and a fantastic writing style! From the very first sentence this novel sucked me in and wouldn’t let me go!
CHARACTERS: 5/5 Lucy and Ed are now one of my favorite couples! <3 They belong together. Hush, no arguing!
Lucy is one of the sweetest, most fun female leads I’ve ever met. From the first time I met her, I was enchanted! Honestly, so much Southern charm and honey and just … ugggh! I love her! She is my best friend, okay? (Apologies to Bailey; you’re not Southern, so you’re gonna lose.)
Ed … well, I wasn’t sure what to think of him at first. He’s a rebel, and though I felt bad for him, I was also a bit annoyed at his flesh-ness. (You know, the lack of Jesus Christ and the much of Ed!) But by the end, I was on his team! <3 Also, I felt so bad for him, poor baby … *huggles him*
There were other amazing characters such as Lucy’s family (THE WHOLE FAMILY! <3 ) and Ed’s Irish friend (he needs no other descriptor!). However, if I went into each of them, this review would run too long, so I’d better stop!
SETTING: 5/5 LET ME GO TO NORTH CAROLINA. PLEASE. I’LL DO ANYTHING! (relatively speaking)
Maybe if I bug the Marine Corps* enough, my sister’s husband will get stationed close to there, and we can visit. Not that *coughs* I want her to move even farther away, butttt … y’know. It’d be a nice perk. I don’t like Cali all that much, sooo …
Seriously, though, the setting was absolutely perfect. <3 Love the Southernness, love the summerness, love the people who inhabit this Southern summer!
*yes, I do realize that government agencies are not at my beck and call … I just wish* …
**the more I think about it, the more I wish I had some sort of diplomatic immunity …
WRITING: 4/5 WHOA, there! This writing style! <3 <3 <3
CONTENT: 1/5 Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Sexual: n/a
Other: romance and denial (y’know, the river in Africa). Not really content, but y’know …
Probably good for all ages, recommended for teens.
OVERALL: 4.5/5 Recommended to any lovers are fun characters, an amazing plot, a grabbing writing style, Southern summers, and sweet romances. Definitely get this book and read the heck out of it!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Title:FTC Disclosure: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Title: The Accidental Guardian
Author: Mary Connealy
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, #1
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Era: 1800s
Setting: American West
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Source: received from Bethany House Publishers
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
The best way to describe this novel: Whoa, that was fast!
I’m still not 100% sure about the rating, even now, but I think I’ve settled on 3/4 stars. I just had a lot of mixed feelings!
Here are my general thoughts:
FIRST: Well, I don’t like to hear about married folks’ bedroom habits. Not a bit.
But if you make a point to say that both groom and bride are nervous about the wedding night and then just stop talking about it … you kinda make a reader curious?
Two problems with this.
Made me think about it more than I wanted to and search the text trying to figure it out. DID THEY OR DIDN’T THEY IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY BUT I FEEL TERRIBLE EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT HELP HELP! SECOND: WILL SOMEONE PLEASE SPANK THE SNOT OUT OF THOSE TWO KIDS?!? I know they’re only 2 and like eighteen months, but they are super badly behaved and no one is dealing with it.
There’s nothing more frustrated than an undisciplined child, especially if everyone keeps pretending they’re babies when they’re obviously not …
THIRD: Things were not wrapped up. I’m sensing they will be in the next book(s) of the series, so that’s all right.
FOURTH: The pacing – perhaps inspired by the brief writing style – was kinda hectic.
I mainly worried for one thing that the hero and heroine barely knew each other and their relationship moved too fast.
I mean, come on, they went from “absolute strangers” to “lovey dovey feelings” just like that! *snaps fingers*
On the other hand, I was super excited to see a romance without hate, lust, or unnecessary complications involved.
FIFTH: I don’t believe that Trace would have survived for several years in the Sierra Nevadas by himself.
Sorry … I just don’t. 😝 Especially since he wasn’t used to the terrain or weather. Or the animals. Or anything about the area at all. Even the plants would have been different.
I might be able to do it … but Trace couldn’t have.
SIXTH: It was pretty cute and it had some fun adventure, but it wasn’t super deep. I don’t know that the themes ever got fully resolved, but they were cool.
I’d recommend The Reluctant Guardian to anyone looking for a quick, easy read that doesn’t go beyond surface level and is conveniently easy in several places.
CONTENT Language: n/a
Violence: nothing graphic
Sexual: it’s intimated that two married character had sex, but was so vague that it made be squint at it. Not bad content – just not clear at all what happened!
A very incredible story! I was in shock the first time I read it. I have felt like the main character more times than one, and it was very encouragingA very incredible story! I was in shock the first time I read it. I have felt like the main character more times than one, and it was very encouraging for me - and I'm sure it will be for so many other Christian teens.
Having been raised in a Christian home, it's so easy to loose sight of what's important - or just not really have a good grasp on what's important at all! This short story is hugely inspirational. It's hard to believe so much could be packed into such a little tale!...more
TRUST ME, it makes so much more sense with the formatting and whatnot on my blog. xP
Original Review After I Just Finished It:
Well, that took me under 24 hours to read. xD 4.5 stars?? Maybe?!! It was good.
I loved most of it. There were a couple things that lowered the rating slightly.
First of all (and it's a spoiler and there is some more adult things being talked about, so none of my younger friends click, okay?):
(view spoiler)[I was a bit confused about what happened in Serena's backstory/etc. with the evil guy, Mr. Goode (take a moment to appreciate the irony).
I thought for the entire book that she'd been raped/forced to have sex with him (and the whole time I was like, "Girl. Why didn't you just scream?? Are you telling me there was no one in hearing of the art room in a private girls' school for posh ladies when only a man and a girl were alone in there??? BAD SCHOOL! How do they even have a remotely good reputation!!?!?" Surely having your reputation destroyed is preferable to being raped. #prioritiesstraight).
But towards the end, Catherine be like, "She's innocent" after Harry (no, not Henry ... I like Harry better!) asks if they know Serena is infertile BECAUSE of this incident - which by the way, Harry, wouldn't be a good gauge, but whatever. I guess he's a guy, so yep.
Which means there was no sex, right? So what are we whining about? A kiss and maybe a little inappropriate touching??? Which is wrong and bad and that guy is such a creep help why did that stupid school be so stupid .... but it's not exactly life-stopping?
I can see how that would lead to you distrusting men, yes, so back story as far as THAT particular reaction makes sense, but not necessarily to the same level of scandal and whatnot, especially since apparently you weren't caught (???) and your brother-in-law hushed it up so it's not a big damage to anyone?? JUST DON'T TELL RANDOM PEOPLE AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY!!!
And you absolutely HAVE to tell your future husband that this occurred? And what happened to stop Mr. Creepy from going further? Did someone interrupt? (hide spoiler)]
Also ...
(view spoiler)[Everyone in this book towards the end: Did we mention that Serena might be infertile?? DID WE MENTION THAT?!?!? Because I think it needs major rehashing. The epilogue: They're trying for a baby. Or didn't you pick that up? It wasn't kinda implied? Maybe if we mention it one more time ... #youdonthavetosayeverything #readersaresmart (hide spoiler)]
Also ...
(view spoiler)[Did Harry and Serena every discuss the fact that Harry has apparently have multiple dalliances?? Please talk about this some time, guys. And don't paint it as Serena being suspicious/judgmental. They need to talk this out and then move on. But you can't move on unless you talk.
Basically, not a fan of this reformed rake thingy. Let's write more books about pure guys who still have struggles but are still relatively pure. Because rakes are not cool; rakes are immoral. (hide spoiler)]
And I'm still not sure which of Serena's secrets is the title secret. ;P
ALSO (just some random thoughts, not necessarily all positive or negative) ...
-The Christian themes were so amazing!! I applaud Ms. Miller for choosing to include Christianity to such a level in the characters' lives. Not too preachy, though! Nice balance. -Harry cracks me up. Melanie also cracks me up. #thesetwo -There are other symptoms of pregnancy other than throwing up all over the place. Really. I've done tons of research (don't ask), and some women DON'T throw up all over the place! -So Harry's dad only sometimes has dementia? That seemed to sneak up on them and be random. But I guess that's how dementia works, right? I don't know anything, haha. -ELLIE AND TOM! <3 Especially Ellie. Also, Ellie's nanny sucks at her job SOOOOO bad!! Seriously, nanny? Why are you not fired?? I would fire the heck out of you!
And that's all for now. I'll return when I'm not emotional.
(This series is fast becoming a guilty pleasure.)
Actual Review:
Title: Miss Serena’s Secret
Author: Carolyn Miller
Series: Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope, #2 (Read my review of #1 here.)
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Era: Regency
Setting: English countryside/London
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Source: from Netgalley (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
I’ll give the author credit for this: even when the book was finished, I still had no idea what Miss Serena’s secret was. I’m still in the dark. What exactly is the title referencing …?
More on that later, but for now let me just say this was a book I enjoyed immensely, was disgusted with when I thought about it afterwards, and have now come to the point where I’m like, “That was fantastic … except for [insert several different issues].”
I’ll dig into each of these issues in the book – as well as present the (many!) things I enjoyed about it. You can decide whether it’s worth reading as best you can for yourself.
PLOT: 2/5 This is where the book really failed.
I’m sorry, Ms. Miller, but I just can’t let you get away with this uncommented! I love your books, I need to read more and more of them, but I must say where the plot failed in the eyes of this particular reader. The book was “in exchange for an honest review,” after all. So here’s your honesty.
Much of the plot was based around the idea that Serena had a big secret that she can’t reveal no matter what. As I said in the intro, I still have no idea what the secret was meant to be.
We’re heading into spoiler realm, peoples. Fasten your seatbelts and please skim forward to the next section (Characters) unless you’ve read the book!
Spoilers Follow! (view spoiler)[I was a bit confused about what happened in Serena’s backstory with the evil guy, Mr. Goode (take a moment to appreciate the irony).
I thought for the entire book that she’d been raped/forced to have sex with him … and the whole time I was like, “Girl. Why didn’t you just scream? Are you telling me there was no one in hearing of the art room in a private girls’ school for posh ladies when only a man and a girl were alone in there??? BAD SCHOOL! How do they even have a remotely good reputation!?!?”
By the way, Serena, having your reputation destroyed is preferable to being raped. #priorities
But towards the end, Catherine literally says, “She’s innocent” after Harry asks if they know Serena is infertile BECAUSE of this incident – which by the way, Harry, wouldn’t be a good gauge, but whatever. I guess he’s a guy who doesn’t know anything about all that, so I’ll let that slide.
Which means there was no sex, right? So what are we whining about? A kiss and maybe a little inappropriate touching??? Which is wrong and bad (and that guy is such a creep help why did that stupid school be so stupid) … but it’s not exactly life-stopping?
Get used to having innuendo slung your way if you’re hanging out with creeps and are reasonable attractive. Just sayin’.
I can see how that would lead to you distrusting men, yes, so back story as far as THAT particular reaction makes sense, but not necessarily to the same level of scandal and whatnot, especially since apparently you weren’t caught (???), and your brother-in-law hushed it up anyway, so it’s not a big damage to anyone?
JUST DON’T TELL RANDOM PEOPLE, SERENA, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY!!!
And you absolutely HAVE to tell your future husband that this occurred? And what happened to stop Mr. Creepy from going further? Did someone interrupt? I wish I knew, but I really have no clue whatsoever.
I think the author was probably trying to be vague for the sake of cleanliness (we’ll talk about the “cleanliness,” by the way, later), which I appreciate to the depths of my innocent Christian country soul. But there’s a difference between clean fiction and fiction that doesn’t explain, y’know … what actually happened.
Please explain the events in your novel, or it doesn’t matter because nothing happened. Novels = things happening in an orderly manner. So put the things happening in and make them orderly. Or it’s not a novel.
(Dear Ms. Miller, if you care to explain this to me in the comments, I will accept your word as fact and edit my review to include your thoughts on the subject. I won’t be offended. I know it’s a big no-no for authors to comment on reviews, and I encourage that, but I don’t mind. Really, let me know, and I’ll add it to the review so readers can see!)
[Special Place Just In Case Carolyn Miller Wants To Make A Comment On This Review Because I Think There Is Probably A Serious Explanation For This Plot Hole, And I Want To See It So Bad.] (hide spoiler)]
CHARACTERS: 4/5 The Hero: SQUEEEEEEE!!!
OKAY, I WANT A MAN PRETTY MUCH JUST LIKE HARRY IN THAT HE CARES ABOUT HIS FAMILY AND HE WANTS TO BE GOOD AND HE’S GROWING IN GOD AND REALLY TALKING TO HIM AND IT’S JUST SO AWESOME EXCUSE ME WHILE I FAN MY CHEEKS.
Seriously, though, Harry was probably one of the most realistic, most fun, most charming, most intriguing heroes I’ve read in a while. He was just loads of HARRY, that being the only way I can truly describe him.
The Heroine: Serena wasn’t so bad either. I actually like cold-as-ice characters. Lady Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey and my own Georgiana Farjon (Once a Stratton) and Isobel Selle (The Dressmaker’s Secret and Ivy Introspective) are prime examples.
Of course, what makes these characters brilliant is the fact that they usually have a reason for being this way.
Mary was mostly due to personality, but she became sooo much worse after the tragic events of Season 3 (*soft sobbing*). Georgiana lost her mother at a young age and then her father to his grief. Isobel also lost her mother and had the incredible weight of running a girl’s school (a much better one than the one Serena attended *coughs*) put on her shoulders at eighteen.
For Serena, that was supposedly her secret … but …? As I explained above (in the spoiler section of the plot section, haha), this doesn’t really hold out. So she didn’t make much sense to me.
I loved the angle with Serena’s art. That whole bit was quite interesting, and I really enjoyed it quite thoroughly. Everything about it was just so refreshing and interesting. (Apparently I don’t have dibs on the “drawing your love interest for therapy” angle, though. *Alice and I both pout*)
Others: Melanie, Ellie, and Tom are all the best and deserve medals. I want to hug them all. Well, I want to hug Ellie and Tom all the time. Melanie was a witch for that one scene, but I forgave her. 😉
It was also fantastic to see the hero and heroine of the last novel, too. 🙂
Spoilers Follow! (view spoiler)[Let me just comment really quickly on a couple points.
Did Harry and Serena every discuss the fact that Harry has apparently have multiple dalliances? Please talk about this some time, you two. And don’t paint it as Serena being “suspicious” or “judgmental.” They need to talk this out and then move on. But you can’t move on unless you talk. Basically, not a fan of this reformed rake thingy. (Let’s write more books about pure guys who still have struggles but are still relatively pure. Because rakes are not cool; rakes are immoral.) There are other symptoms of pregnancy other than throwing up all over the place. Just sayin’. I’ve done tons of research (don’t ask), and some women DON’T throw up all over the place! My mother never really did. *shrugs* Also, it has gotten to the point that if anyone in a novel throws up, EVER, I assume they are pregnant. You don’t just “have the flu” in a novel. Flus only exist as things to think you have when you’re really pregnant. #TheyreAllPregnant EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CHARACTERS’ CHRISTIANITY! YESSS! Ms. Miller is a genius of Christian character arcs. This whole book would have a genius theme except for that one thing about Serena’s arc not making sense which I’ve already ranted about way too much. Someone fire Ellie’s nanny. Seriously. Also, blaming Serena, even if you’re mad, makes no sense. The nanny is the one who is being paid to watch your little brat, Melanie. Get it right this time. Everyone in this book talks about Serena being infertile a ton towards the end. It gets annoying after the third time it’s mentioned. Like, “Yes, I know, you already told me. I’m not an idiot.” Also, I call nonsense on some random doctor’s one opinion being the deciding factor in this. I mean, she’s still a virgin, medical science really sucked back then (like, really bad), and God can make miracles regardless. DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP! (The ship being #Searry. *cracks up at my own joke*) (hide spoiler)]
SETTING: 5/5 I tried to think of something intelligence to say about the setting, but I couldn’t. There wasn’t really anything to say.
No noticeable historical inaccuracies – if there were, I was too distracted by Serena’s secret to notice them, haha – and the dialogue, descriptions, etc. all seemed well in tune with the time period, etc.
So I’ll just give up trying to be intelligence in this section and say, “Well done, Ms. Miller!”
WRITING: 4/5 The author has a style that reminds me a bit of Kristi Ann Hunter. That, my friend, is a huge compliment!
I deeply enjoyed it, and I’m definitely looking forward to the next book for this reason alone! And … *coughs* I am so attached to the characters and storyline that it’s not even funny. If the next book does not come out soon, I may implode.
CONTENT: 3.5/5 Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Sexual: some guy touches Serena and slings lots of innuendo at her then we cut out (and its insinuated that more happened – but it doesn’t???). Serena worries about her reputation and whatnot.
Serena thinks about Harry’s past dalliances in a Greek temple. Harry thinks about Harry’s past dalliances in a Greek temple. I assume there were dalliances elsewhere, but WE’RE FOCUSING ON THE TEMPLE, Y’ALL! (Did I mention that Harry has probably had intimate relationships with several women in a Greek temple???) (Just in case you didn’t pick that up the first three times, LET ME SAY IT AGAIN. HARRY –)
That whole bit could’ve been cut out, thanks.
Mentions of “enjoying your wife” and whatnot. Please stop. I don’t need to know. Only two people need to be involved in your private relationship with your spouse. I’m not one of them.
This is really bugging me right now for some reason. I’d better stop.
Other: multiple mentions of infertility, conception, trying to have a baby, whether or not someone can have a baby, baby-making (should also go in Sexual, but whatever), pregnancy, etc.
The epilogue, a parody: They’re trying for a baby. Or didn’t you pick that up? It wasn’t kinda implied? Maybe if we mention it one more time …
I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to think about Harry’s “seed” swimming around inside Serena. No, I’m not making this up. The exact quote was:
“Tiny bubbles of delight throbbed within as she consciously relaxed, encouraging her husband’s seed to seed within.”
I feel filthy just writing that! And further down the page:
His [the doctor’s] diagnosis – married relations with great frequency – have been enough to make her wonder if Henry had put him up to saying such things …
First, TMI! Second, is this book categorized as Christian fiction??? Because in the epilogue we have tons of innuendo shot between Serena and Harry, the knowledge that they’ve been having sex quite often and enjoying it greatly (thanks for letting us in on your private relationship, darlings), and we get gross details about how Serena is trying to have a baby.
By willing it to happen.
(Hmm, that wasn’t included in the birds-and-the-bees conversation I got. “And then you will your child into existence. And that’s where babies come from!”)
Also, I do realize the target audience was probably more adults or upper teens at the earliest (which is what I recommend – 16+ for this one, please!), but still. For a Christian fiction novel, this is extreme and unnecessary.
The whole epilogue could be cut save for the teaser for the next book. Which could’ve been left out because the first chapter of the next book is literally a paragraph-by-paragraph rewrite of the epilogue only without all the gross marital/conceiving-a-baby stuff that no one needed or wanted to read.
So yep. There ya go. 16+ ONLY.
OVERALL: 3.5/5 This was really an excellent book. I know I spent the last 2,000 words (really? That much?) trashing it, but that doesn’t change the fact that I enjoyed it deeply (except maybe the epilogue …).
I’d recommend this book to any adults or older teens who enjoy an excellent Regency romance with witty characters, excellent description, writing on level with Kristi Ann Hunter, early-1800s-ness on level with Julie Klassen, and a hero even Austen would be proud of.
Source: from Netgalley (in exchange for honest, unsolicited review)
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
Overall, this was a good novel, but I did have a couple problems with it. The primary had to do with the relationship between the main characters. It seemed to be primarily based on attraction, though I think they did eventually grow a strong relationship.
There were a couple other things, some of which affected my enjoyment of the book. There were also some content issues.
PLOT: 3/5 Overall I did like the plot. It was a wild ride with traitors and smugglers and a Bow Street Runner and the inn almost going under and Mr. Nutbrown.
However, there were a couple problems. First, I don’t think gambling is right? Pretty much ever? Especially not for high stakes. Yet it’s never really dealt with that Alex is a pretty frequent gambler.
Also, there was a lot – and I mean a LOT – of physical attraction between the main characters. Alex acts like he’s never seen a girl before Johanna, and from the moment he meets her, he seems to think she’s the most attractive creature he’s ever met. Johanna reacts in a similar manner.
I was very surprised by the ending! I really had no idea how the plot would turn out.
CHARACTERS: 4/5 The characters were very well developed. I liked Johanna a lot, though at times she was a bit stubborn, and Alex was honestly one of the coolest heros I’ve read about in a long time.
Mr. Nutbrown was a favorite minor character of mine. I wonder about his future, though … I feel that the plot concerning him wasn’t completely resolved? Thomas was also pretty awesome.
SETTING: 5/5 Very well done! I felt sucked up into the setting and era! I loved the feeling of the inn, the seaside town, etc.
WRITING: 4/5 Well done! The style was flowing and easy to understand.
CONTENT: 3/5 Language: n/a
Violence: lots of gunfights, injuries, etc. Probably mildly disturbing.
Sexual: lots of attraction between the main characters, oftentimes semi-detailed, a couple kisses described in detail.
Other: disturbing scenes at a prison with lots of filth, being trapped in a small area, etc. Drinking and gambling, not necessarily condemned.
15+ for the extreme attraction between the main characters, gambling and drinking not seeming to be dealt with properly, and some mild gore.
OVERALL: 3/5 It was an excellent concept, but there was a bit more content than I was comfortable with personally and a few plot points were left unresolved. The ending was just too sudden!
Source: from Netgalley (in exchange for an honest review)
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
The Weaver’s Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd is a beyond amazing book with a serious moral issue. That may sound harsh, but that’s the only way to describe it. This review may offend some of y’all, but I’ve got to be truthful about my convictions, so here goes.
I still have some very positive things to say about this book. It was quite well-done. Beautiful writing, interesting setting, intriguing plot, and awesome characters. This book has it all … except that one subplot.
I’m again abandoning my regular format because this is a review that defies structure. I need to be able to talk freely.
It was really a five-star novel. From the tension between the up-and-coming mills and the old-fashioned weavers, to the (forbidden) romance between Kate and Henry, to Kate’s relationship with her father and on and on … beautiful.
It progressed smoothly, kept my attention, had an interesting mystery and a lot of excitement, and was reminiscent of North and South (only I actually like the characters and plot and all a lot better than North and South, shoot me).
Also, am I the only one who is just like: YAY MILLS YAY PROGRESS LET’S BOOT THOSE SLOW WEAVERS OUT OF HERE AND ACTUALLY GET SOME WORK DONE!? Because this is how I feel … :P
Also, all the weavers are complete jerks. Some of the mill folks are jerks, too, but the weavers were extra special jerks.
The whole setting was so excellent. The description really got me wrapped up in the book, combined with the excellent characters. Henry was my favorite, while Catherine’s brother and Catherine herself ran close second and third. Catherine’s dad was a jerk. #nuffsaid
The only problem was the subplot I mentioned earlier. Now, there are some mild spoilers in this next section, but since they are so mild they probably aren’t even spoilers in some ways, I won’t bother to mark them as such. Also, I hope y’all Christian readers will choose not to read this book, so it doesn’t really matter.
Molly, Henry’s younger sister, got pregnant out of wedlock … and Henry as well as Catherine act like this is perfectly okay (as do all the “good guy” characters).
Molly wants to keep her pregnancy a secret and comes up with a lie to cover up (understandable, considering the fact that she is going to be thrown off the earth once Regency society finds out), but all the characters are vehement that Molly needs to tell the truth.
And once she tells the truth the consequences of her sin (YES I SAID THE S-WORD) will go away?
Her lie is a worse sin that her sleeping with a man while unmarried and conceiving a child by him?
I am just so steamed about this that I’m getting angry again as I type.
Yes, forgiveness is very important … but only if the sinner is repentant. Because that’s what Molly is. A sinner. And I know we’re all sinners … but just ’cause we’re all sinners doesn’t mean that sin is okay.
It’s never okay.
If Molly’s lie wasn’t “a mistake” or “a temporary lapse of judgment,” neither was her fornication. (The pregnancy isn’t really the problem morally, just to clarify; let it never be said that a pregnancy is anything but a gift. Though it might seem like a consequence.)
This entire book treats anyone who judges Molly for her fornication like scum. But … that’s wrong. Judging people is wrong, and no sin is any worse than the other (as far as getting one into Hell and making you need Jesus, that is), but … that doesn’t make sin okay.
Also, even though we don’t have a right to judge anyone, of course, Molly will get judged. All the characters are living in this fantasy world where, if Molly is honest about her sin, then nothing bad will happen.
Er, excuse me? Regency England, anyone? Welcome to the 19th century? Molly is going to suffer for this for the rest of her life. Henry (and everyone) sheltering her from this fact is gonna do her no good.
Nor is acting like everything’s going to be okay, Mr. Protective Big Brother. Dear Henry, your sister cannot just move past this. Sin is never gonna just go away unless you confront it. And though Molly is perhaps very sorry she conceived, even sorry she gave away her virtue, she is definitely not thinking of it on the level of sin.
More like an impropriety or an inconvenience of sorts. But what God thinks is what matters … not what society thinks.
I get where the author was going. She wanted to show that fornication is not a worse sin than any other sin as far as salvation goes – or that’s my best guess.
But you can’t go about that by making lying seem a lot worse than it is and making fornication similar to dropping a plate on the floor. (Which would be a mistake.) (Unless you threw that plate at someone’s head.) (That’s concussioning thy neighbor.) (Or something to that effect.)
CONTENT: 4/5 Language: n/a
Violence: men are shot and killed or badly wounded, one man murdered in cold blood, others killed during a violent attack on the mill. Some talk about blood, treatment of wounds, etc. A brawl at a public dance leads to many a split lip.
Sexual: a semi-detailed account of childbearing. Molly has a child out of wedlock and this is treated as a ‘temporary lapse of judgment,’ a ‘mistake,’ and a ‘scandal’ but not as sin which it is (see my whole rant ^^). A couple kisses, a bit detailed.
Other: MOLLY LIES HEAVEN FORBID THAT MOLLY LIES OH NO WHAT SHALL WE DO!?!?!?!?! Lies are such a terrible sin … worse than any other, in fact …
Not recommended for readers under sixteen unless they are discerning and won’t be strayed by the confirmation of sin.
OVERALL: 3/5 I’m sorry, but I cannot and will not recommend this book to any Christian reader. Secular readers might enjoy it, as it is a great (5-star!) book except for the Molly fiasco. But Christian readers shouldn’t allow this kind of thing in their fiction. It’s abominable.
It's been a long time since I read this book, so I don't have a ton of thoughts. I do remember that it felt a little rushed, but otherwise I loved it.It's been a long time since I read this book, so I don't have a ton of thoughts. I do remember that it felt a little rushed, but otherwise I loved it. With one notable exception, Hunter never fails to bring forth clean, amusing, insightful novels that I enjoy thoroughly!...more
Source: from NetGalley (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
I have no idea what to think of this book! I’ll unashamedly admit it. I loved it … and yet there were a couple problems that detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
PLOT: 3/5 … eh?
Okay, so, I have no idea what to think of this plot! On one hand, it definitely kept my attention and was interesting and intriguing. On the other hand … it felt like the first draft plot got mixed up with the final draft plot.
This book needs some alpha readers. ;) Even though I know it’s traditional, so it must have gone through multiple rounds of edits. Go figure.
I felt that the time that needed to be dedicated to Catherine and Jon’s backstory just … wasn’t? I didn’t really get a good sense of what kept them apart, et cetera. It was perhaps just a little cliche as well. (TALK, GUYS. BUT IN PERSON. NOT OVER LETTER. BECAUSE THAT IS NOT WORKING FOR YOU.)
The place where the plot of this book really shone was in the theme. The Christian content was sooo amazing. It’s been a while since I’ve read a story that put so much emphasis on God in the characters’ lives without being overly preachy.
CHARACTERS: 4/5 The characters were fairly well-developed. As I said before, at times I was a little bit confused by the reasons behind Jon’s actions in the past – and even Catherine’s. I felt like that whole part could be been developed further. However, overall, they were well done.
I found myself almost liking the side characters more than the hero and heroine. Catherine’s aunt, (eventually) Jon’s mother, Jon’s friends, Lavinia (who has a book about her I should really read), Lavinia’s husband (oh, my word, this man …), and multiple other characters.
I liked Jon okay, but he didn’t stand out to me in a big way. Catherine was a decent character – and there were some things about her that I really liked, such as her stutter. It was really cute. 😛
The characters’ interactions reminded me of Kristi Ann Hunter. This is very, very good thing in my book!
The biggest thing about these characters … they were never exactly proper? And I know, being rich and in family circles (which they weren’t always, but I digress), they might have acted like that … but I think not? It just pulled me out of the story. Felt like modern-day people got dumped in a Regency setting.
However, it was hilarious. Their interactions and little comments and everything really made the book flow. So I can’t be too harsh.
SETTING: 4/5 Aside from what I mentioned in the character section about the characters being not exactly proper, the setting was very well done. I felt a strong influence of Persuasion in this story (BATH!!!), so that was fantastic. There was also a kind of Mansfield Park or lowkey Sense and Sensibility feeling. It was just all very Jane Austen-y. Two thumbs up!
WRITING: 4/5 Overall, the writing was very good. A consistent, flowing style. There were a couple times where I felt it needed a good editing, but I had an eARC so I will presume that these errors and weird sentences and such will be ironed out by publication day.
CONTENT: 2/5 Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Sexual: people gossip that Catherine is in an improper relationship with an older gentleman who views her as a father. Mentions of Jon’s friends being improper/rogues/etc. Semi-detailed kissing and remembering kissing (as in, Catherine is super worried that kissing Jon when they first met drove him off) (no, that is not how men work, sweetie).
Other: n/a (unless you count mentions of pregnancy, etc.)
I can’t remember anything that put up major flags for me. It was a clean Regency romance. A few conversations resulting from untrue gossip leads me to say 13+ with parental guidance.
OVERALL: 3.5/5 I probably would have rated it a bit lower just based on the quality of the story, but … I enjoyed it so very much! From the message to the characters to the writing, it was deeply enjoyable.
And … if that doesn’t count for something to a reviewer, I don’t know what should! If you love Regency romance and don’t mind looking over some minor flaws in a plot, by all means, dig into this story!
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars
I Don’t Dance by Jesseca Wheaton
I don’t know quite what to say about this novella. On one hand, it was a great story with good plot, characters, writing, and setting. I’ve no complaints there.
However, I just didn’t enjoy it. The characters live in a completely different world than my own – and I just couldn’t get into that world. Everything about their lives – and especially about the traditions surrounding the romance – was difficult for me to understand. It’s one of those things I respect but don’t comprehend.
You see, personally, it makes me mad to think that a guy would ask my parents for permission to date (something I don’t believe to be necessary) before even speaking of romance to me – or that my parents would keep this from me for three months. It seems to show a lack of respect for my personal opinions and ability to have original thoughts! I’d be so furious – that guy would definitely be immediately rejected! ;)
The chaperone thing drove me up the wall, too. :P
However, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s an amazing story. If you believe dating should be courting and would like to see your own traditions represented – something which I believe doesn’t happen very often that I’ve seen – then you’ll love this novella!
PLOT: 4/5
The plot was well-designed and came together in a neat, orderly way. I felt like there was a bit of a drag in the middle – and I admit it was probably a little too slow-paced and low on “drama” (things happening, haha) for my personal taste, but it was still a great plot.
CHARACTERS: 5/5
Miss Wheaton always writes amazing characters – and this book was no exception!
Mike was probably my favorite. He was a great best friend – and he was funny, too! I wouldn’t mind seeing a book about Mike, though I’m too eager to see other works by Jesseca Wheaton come out to push too hard for that. ;)
I did like Ty and Jen as well. Jen seemed quite spunky and fun; I’d like to be her friend! I think we’d get along fairly well, too. (I need to meet this fictional character!)
Ty was also a good guy. And he appreciates country music, which is always a good thing. :P
Some of the characters in this book annoyed me – such as most of the parents and younger siblings – but that’s personal preference and me being a lot more, well, liberal in this area, haha! What’s controlling and overly protective to me is commonplace to others.
SETTING: 5/5
I loved the lazy feel of the Southern summer! I’ve always wanted to visit the South – though I don’t know if I want to live there – so it was definitely interesting and enjoyable to read about it!
I also LOVE LOVE LOVEDDD the country music references! I think I got most of them. Really a lot of fun. :D
WRITING: 5/5
The slow-paced summer romance bled perfectly into the writing style. I’m used to seeing Miss Wheaton write historical, so this was new, but she definitely pulled it off – and well!
CONTENT: 1/5
Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Sexual: n/a
Other: talk about wars, going off to wars, being a soldier, etc., no details. Mentions of losing a limb and a prosthetic leg.
Perfectly clean and fine for all ages.
OVERALL: 3.5/5
Though I personally didn’t like this book, I would recommend it to any conservative Christians (more conservative than me, meaning) who enjoy summer romances and would like to see their personal style of courtship/Christian dating portrayed.
Pretty sweet. A little preachy, but all children's books from back then were on-the-nose. The only problem is I feel that they beat the spunk out ofPretty sweet. A little preachy, but all children's books from back then were on-the-nose. The only problem is I feel that they beat the spunk out of Katy, but ... I guess that's too be expected from the era. (See Lucinda/Lucilla/that one girl from Elsie Dinsmore. :P)...more
Second book just as powerful – though Sarah’s a bit annoying!
In this book, Sarah drove me wild. I understand that humans take time to adjust and learn things and stop being so dumb and stubborn, but it was just hard to take in a fictional book and soon grew repetitive. Other than that, it was pretty enjoyable, and the message was great. Only other problem was that Grace and Paulie needed to stop messing around and commit! I’m sorry, but I think they were wrong to avoid each other like that. *shrugs* They just made a mess of things!
Content: Sarah is fixated on her past, so of course that comes up a couple times....more
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