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shananananah's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
"She had chosen this course and would choose it again."
Romance set during the Napoleonic Wars. I really enjoyed this one. It was really easy to read. I didn't find any of the characters too irritating. I liked the main two characters. Definitely will read more by Julie Klassen.
4 / 5 stars ⭐️
Romance set during the Napoleonic Wars. I really enjoyed this one. It was really easy to read. I didn't find any of the characters too irritating. I liked the main two characters. Definitely will read more by Julie Klassen.
4 / 5 stars ⭐️
jamiehatch4488's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
library_of_kindredspirits's review against another edition
5.0
OPINION: *****
QUALITY: ****.5
MY RATING SYSTEM
OPINION
* "I hated it. I wish I hadn't wasted my time."
** "I wouldn't read it again, but I didn't hate it."
*** "It was good, it just wasn't my thing."
**** "It entertained me. I will probably read it again."
***** "I loved it. I will definitely reread."
QUALITY of WRITING
* "I can't believe this got published!"
** "Mediocre."
*** "It was still missing something."
**** "Good enough to satisfy me."
***** "Impeccable."
PROS: A beautiful love story between two complex characters, with mystery threaded tastefully into their intriguing backstories. Side characters are also really fleshed out which helps to create a more believable cast.
CONS: The ending was hard to read. I feel as though I love Klassen's novels until the last 3 chapters when it feels like she's just trying to reach a word count goal. Sometimes I think she can wrap it up in a shorter amount of time than she does. Also, the dialogue is supposed to sound like Jane Austen, so sometimes it comes across as unnatural, or even flowery. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this and I definitely recommend it to young adults and adults alike.
QUALITY: ****.5
MY RATING SYSTEM
OPINION
* "I hated it. I wish I hadn't wasted my time."
** "I wouldn't read it again, but I didn't hate it."
*** "It was good, it just wasn't my thing."
**** "It entertained me. I will probably read it again."
***** "I loved it. I will definitely reread."
QUALITY of WRITING
* "I can't believe this got published!"
** "Mediocre."
*** "It was still missing something."
**** "Good enough to satisfy me."
***** "Impeccable."
PROS: A beautiful love story between two complex characters, with mystery threaded tastefully into their intriguing backstories. Side characters are also really fleshed out which helps to create a more believable cast.
CONS: The ending was hard to read. I feel as though I love Klassen's novels until the last 3 chapters when it feels like she's just trying to reach a word count goal. Sometimes I think she can wrap it up in a shorter amount of time than she does. Also, the dialogue is supposed to sound like Jane Austen, so sometimes it comes across as unnatural, or even flowery. But overall, I really enjoyed reading this and I definitely recommend it to young adults and adults alike.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story, but it really wasn't my favorite of Julie Klassen. I didn't "invest" very much in the characters as I have done with her books before.
mamap's review against another edition
2.0
Yes, I know. Judge away. But every now and then one needs a book like this - right? And this author is good at what she does. Even if I don't really like Christian fiction.
Laura lost her parents and lives with family -by marriage. In a community that plunders ship wrecks - she rescues a survivor - much drama - He's French and they're English in the middle of a war.
p.159. "If I attend, scenes my arise unpleasant to more than myself." PRIDE AND PREJUDICE?
p.265. "The ship that will not obey the helm must obey the rocks." Cornish Proverb
p.288. "Sometimes the right thing was a cold and lonely room."
Laura lost her parents and lives with family -by marriage. In a community that plunders ship wrecks - she rescues a survivor - much drama - He's French and they're English in the middle of a war.
p.159. "If I attend, scenes my arise unpleasant to more than myself." PRIDE AND PREJUDICE?
p.265. "The ship that will not obey the helm must obey the rocks." Cornish Proverb
p.288. "Sometimes the right thing was a cold and lonely room."
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a fan of the setting of Poldark, then you would love this book. Set in the early 1800’s, England is still at war with France and Cornwall is notorious for smuggling and stealing from shipwrecks. Laura likes finding so-called treasures on the beach and returning them to families whose loved one may have left it behind. She is an orphaned girl who has been taken in by a kind uncle. His wife tolerates her, but is jealous of her good looks and is constantly trying to push forward her own daughter while deflecting attention away from Laura.
When a mysterious man survives a shipwreck, Laura may have found her greatest treasure yet. She helps nurse him back to health all the while trying to puzzle out his story and whether or not he is trustworthy. Alex must get home, but is taken with the beautiful Laura. As he gradually unfolds his past to Laura, she is determined to help him. With plenty of danger and romance, this book is hard to put down. Julie Klassen is a master at bringing these beautiful settings in England to life and the history surrounding them. Her characters especially her heroes are swoon worthy in all the right ways and Alexander is no different. Highly recommend!
When a mysterious man survives a shipwreck, Laura may have found her greatest treasure yet. She helps nurse him back to health all the while trying to puzzle out his story and whether or not he is trustworthy. Alex must get home, but is taken with the beautiful Laura. As he gradually unfolds his past to Laura, she is determined to help him. With plenty of danger and romance, this book is hard to put down. Julie Klassen is a master at bringing these beautiful settings in England to life and the history surrounding them. Her characters especially her heroes are swoon worthy in all the right ways and Alexander is no different. Highly recommend!
bonniereads777's review against another edition
5.0
It is 1812, and Laura Callaway feels like a castaway in Cornwall, where she lives with her uncle and his somewhat disapproving wife. Missing her parents, who are presumed dead, Laura has found solace and purpose in scouring the shores of Cornwall after shipwrecks. She finds and collects lost belongings and attempts to return them to the families of their owners. She does this under the disapproving eye of the Wreckers, men who try to seize and sell the cargo of wrecked ships, despite laws to the contrary. When a stranger is washed ashore, the Wreckers want to kill him, but Laura saves him too. However, she begins to have questions as more lost items turn up. Can this stranger be trusted?
This is a wonderful, well-researched book by Julie Klassen. The laws and practices surrounding wrecked ships of the time were fascinating. Klassen also provided tidbits of Cornish history, mythology, and practices at the beginning of each chapter. The characters sometimes converse in the old Cornish language. Legendary wrecker Tom Parsons is a major character in this novel, and the Napoleonic wars play a part. The romance is well written, and there is a Christian theme of forgiveness throughout the book.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
This is a wonderful, well-researched book by Julie Klassen. The laws and practices surrounding wrecked ships of the time were fascinating. Klassen also provided tidbits of Cornish history, mythology, and practices at the beginning of each chapter. The characters sometimes converse in the old Cornish language. Legendary wrecker Tom Parsons is a major character in this novel, and the Napoleonic wars play a part. The romance is well written, and there is a Christian theme of forgiveness throughout the book.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
bonniereads777's review against another edition
5.0
It is 1812, and Laura Callaway feels like a castaway in Cornwall, where she lives with her uncle and his somewhat disapproving wife. Missing her parents, who are presumed dead, Laura has found solace and purpose in searching the shores after shipwrecks. She finds and collects lost belongings and attempts to return them to the families of their owners. She does this under the disapproving eye of the Wreckers, men who try to seize and sell the cargo of wrecked ships, despite laws to the contrary. When a stranger is washed ashore, the Wreckers want to kill him, but Laura saves him too. However, she begins to have questions as more lost items turn up. Can this stranger be trusted?
This is a wonderful, well-researched book by Julie Klassen. The laws and practices surrounding wrecked ships of the time were fascinating. Klassen also provided tidbits of Cornish history, mythology, and practices at the beginning of each chapter. The characters sometimes converse in the old Cornish language. Legendary wrecker Tom Parsons is a major character in this novel, and the Napoleonic wars play a part. The romance is well written, and there is a Christian theme of forgiveness throughout the book.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I would recommend this to any fan of historical fiction and romance.
This is a wonderful, well-researched book by Julie Klassen. The laws and practices surrounding wrecked ships of the time were fascinating. Klassen also provided tidbits of Cornish history, mythology, and practices at the beginning of each chapter. The characters sometimes converse in the old Cornish language. Legendary wrecker Tom Parsons is a major character in this novel, and the Napoleonic wars play a part. The romance is well written, and there is a Christian theme of forgiveness throughout the book.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I would recommend this to any fan of historical fiction and romance.