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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received a temporary e-galley of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I didn't know what to expect from this novel when I saw it on Netgalley. I love Christian fiction and so I decided to give it a shot. I hadn't read the previous two in the series so I really was going into this series blind.
I absolutely adored this book. In fact, I was stunned by how much I loved it. I knew it would be good because I knew Lessman was an incredible author, but I didn't think it would be this good.
I loved every single one of the characters in this book. I could spend a whole post talking about every single one of them; however, since the main characters were Annie and Steve, I'll focus on them for awhile.
I loved Annie. She wanted so badly to fit in and she wanted to find herself after her parents' death. She falls in with a questionable crowd and is warned to find better friends. I loved watching Annie grow as her faith increased and as she started making better choices. Annie was definitely not a flat character and I loved that.
And then there was Steven. Steven was not perfect. I loved that, so often the male characters are perfect and it makes the story seem flat. I loved watching Steven as he struggled to make the right choices and to be a better person.
And of course, I loved the interactions between Annie and Steven. That was definitely an interesting portion of the novel. I also loved how you gained insight into other character's minds throughout the novel.
Usually I can guess the plot line of novels, and while I guessed the general plot, I was thrown for a few loops. Lessman tucked in a few twists that I absolutely didn't see coming.
Lessman's writing was inspiring, entertaining, and uplifting. Lessman is a master at crafting words. I flew through this novel and loved every single minute of it.
Fans of Christian fiction will love this novel. Readers who have not read the previous two books can read this novel without feeling lost, but there are a lot of characters that might be a little hard to keep track of at first.
I definitely recommend reading this series in order and I know I will be going back and reading the first two. I am definitely going to be tracking them down ASAP.
In Summary: Lessman has created a beautiful writing style and creates realistic characters that readers will love. One of my favorite Christian fiction novels of the year.
Warnings/Side-notes: This is a very clean novel. It does talk about sex but in a very vague and appropriate manner.
The Wrap-up: I absolutely adored this novel and definitely recommend it. Lessman is a brilliant writer. I definitely recommend checking out her novels.
Love,
Danica Page
Disclaimers: I received a temporary e-galley of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I didn't know what to expect from this novel when I saw it on Netgalley. I love Christian fiction and so I decided to give it a shot. I hadn't read the previous two in the series so I really was going into this series blind.
I absolutely adored this book. In fact, I was stunned by how much I loved it. I knew it would be good because I knew Lessman was an incredible author, but I didn't think it would be this good.
I loved every single one of the characters in this book. I could spend a whole post talking about every single one of them; however, since the main characters were Annie and Steve, I'll focus on them for awhile.
I loved Annie. She wanted so badly to fit in and she wanted to find herself after her parents' death. She falls in with a questionable crowd and is warned to find better friends. I loved watching Annie grow as her faith increased and as she started making better choices. Annie was definitely not a flat character and I loved that.
And then there was Steven. Steven was not perfect. I loved that, so often the male characters are perfect and it makes the story seem flat. I loved watching Steven as he struggled to make the right choices and to be a better person.
And of course, I loved the interactions between Annie and Steven. That was definitely an interesting portion of the novel. I also loved how you gained insight into other character's minds throughout the novel.
Usually I can guess the plot line of novels, and while I guessed the general plot, I was thrown for a few loops. Lessman tucked in a few twists that I absolutely didn't see coming.
Lessman's writing was inspiring, entertaining, and uplifting. Lessman is a master at crafting words. I flew through this novel and loved every single minute of it.
Fans of Christian fiction will love this novel. Readers who have not read the previous two books can read this novel without feeling lost, but there are a lot of characters that might be a little hard to keep track of at first.
I definitely recommend reading this series in order and I know I will be going back and reading the first two. I am definitely going to be tracking them down ASAP.
In Summary: Lessman has created a beautiful writing style and creates realistic characters that readers will love. One of my favorite Christian fiction novels of the year.
Warnings/Side-notes: This is a very clean novel. It does talk about sex but in a very vague and appropriate manner.
The Wrap-up: I absolutely adored this novel and definitely recommend it. Lessman is a brilliant writer. I definitely recommend checking out her novels.
Love,
Danica Page
This book was more disappointing than the 1st. I loved the 2nd book, but this one was so frustrating.
How many times do the women in this family hide secrets from their spouse which then causes the spouse to lose control and get angry? It happens several times in each book between different couples in the books and honestly was just ridiculous and repetitive.
Then, the fact that halfway through the book the dad tells his 25 yr old son how he came to God...even though they were raised in a believing family, the son had apparently never seen or heard about a relationship with God? It didn't make sense.
The best thing about these books is the banter between the family. It's really well written and develops the characters really well. I just wish the rest of the story was more well-thought out and not so repetitive.
How many times do the women in this family hide secrets from their spouse which then causes the spouse to lose control and get angry? It happens several times in each book between different couples in the books and honestly was just ridiculous and repetitive.
Then, the fact that halfway through the book the dad tells his 25 yr old son how he came to God...even though they were raised in a believing family, the son had apparently never seen or heard about a relationship with God? It didn't make sense.
The best thing about these books is the banter between the family. It's really well written and develops the characters really well. I just wish the rest of the story was more well-thought out and not so repetitive.
I wanted to like this novel; I did. I was browsing the fiction section of the local library when I came across this title. The cover sports a fresh-faced, perky young heroine and the story sounded like it had a lot to offer. At first, it seemed to be off to a good start.
However, as the story went on, I found it overladen with quotes from the Bible, often in the course of conversations between husbands and wives, or parents and children, or siblings. I found it odd; normally people do not speak to each other that way. It came across as more of a lecture or lesson to the reader. I also didn't like how the characters often hid things from one another, even married couples, almost like a game for who was the have the power in the relationship. Later in the book, the author made it clear that she believes a wife must submit to her husband. Yes, that's when I stopped slogging through all the preachy Bible verses and dysfunctional relationship issues and set the book aside for better reads. As a woman who has survived an abusive marriage, I cannot condone any work that would support the antiquated idea that a woman must do her husband's bidding, despite her own opinions and feelings, especially when pushed to do so in the name of God. That is rubbish.
However, as the story went on, I found it overladen with quotes from the Bible, often in the course of conversations between husbands and wives, or parents and children, or siblings. I found it odd; normally people do not speak to each other that way. It came across as more of a lecture or lesson to the reader. I also didn't like how the characters often hid things from one another, even married couples, almost like a game for who was the have the power in the relationship. Later in the book, the author made it clear that she believes a wife must submit to her husband. Yes, that's when I stopped slogging through all the preachy Bible verses and dysfunctional relationship issues and set the book aside for better reads. As a woman who has survived an abusive marriage, I cannot condone any work that would support the antiquated idea that a woman must do her husband's bidding, despite her own opinions and feelings, especially when pushed to do so in the name of God. That is rubbish.
*This review is from my blog and originally published in 2012*
This is going to be a hard review for me to write. No,no, it’s not a bad book. It’s one of my favorites. It’s bittersweet because this is the ending to one of my favorite Christian Fiction series. I fell in love with Ms. Lessman’s work when I read book 1 in this series, A Hope Undaunted. Ironically, it’s not the first in the O’Connor clans stories…there was a series previously written called The Daughters Of Boston. This particular series is so emotionally moving, so deeply intense that you get to become a part of the story. You can feel yourself being pulled deep into the heart of the story, becoming the characters, feeling every pain, every laugh, and every tear drop that falls. It’s absolutely an amazing feeling when reading a Julie Lessman novel.
I’ve been dying to read this book. This one is Steven O’Connor’s story. He’s the baby boy of the O’Connor family and, while I adored each of the others that I read about, I felt that Steven was the most deserving of having his story told. He was quietly awaiting his turn through out all the other books and it’s finally here! And oh what a turn it is! We get a bit of background on Steven in the other books, having a broken relationship with his ex fiance. Now, he’s a respectable man of the law and 25 years old. What he’s not expecting is for the arrival of Annie, a young impressionable girl of 17…..and his former fiance’s baby sister. Or the protectiveness he feels for her.
Susannah “Annie” Kennedy has left her home in Iowa to move on from her past and embrace a future in Boston. Her parents are dead now, her sister has raved about Boston and she’s ready to embrace a life out side of her straight and narrow past. When an circumstance arises and Annie finds herself face to face with Steven O’Connor, her sisters ex, she’s embarrassed…..and highly attracted to him! There’s just one little problem with that….he doesn’t realize that she’s Maggie’s baby sister.
Watching as these two came to terms with their past, and seeking forgiveness to over come it, and move on to a life filled with love and happiness was absolutely tear jerking! I loved every minute of this amazing 5 Book conclusion to my favorite series. Ms. Lessman kept the intensity woven through out as she did with the previous books. Her messages of forgiveness, letting go and seeking His love are just as strong and sweep through the reader instantly. If you love passion, if you love heartbreaking redemption and amazing historic detail, then look no further than the author who can create an unforgettable, un-put-downable novel that will spin the readers mind out of control. Well done Ms. Lessman and I am anxious to see what you have in story for your fans next…will we get glimpses of the O’Connor’s? Will we get to fall in love with another amazing family? Keep up the amazing writing, Ms. Lessman!
This is going to be a hard review for me to write. No,no, it’s not a bad book. It’s one of my favorites. It’s bittersweet because this is the ending to one of my favorite Christian Fiction series. I fell in love with Ms. Lessman’s work when I read book 1 in this series, A Hope Undaunted. Ironically, it’s not the first in the O’Connor clans stories…there was a series previously written called The Daughters Of Boston. This particular series is so emotionally moving, so deeply intense that you get to become a part of the story. You can feel yourself being pulled deep into the heart of the story, becoming the characters, feeling every pain, every laugh, and every tear drop that falls. It’s absolutely an amazing feeling when reading a Julie Lessman novel.
I’ve been dying to read this book. This one is Steven O’Connor’s story. He’s the baby boy of the O’Connor family and, while I adored each of the others that I read about, I felt that Steven was the most deserving of having his story told. He was quietly awaiting his turn through out all the other books and it’s finally here! And oh what a turn it is! We get a bit of background on Steven in the other books, having a broken relationship with his ex fiance. Now, he’s a respectable man of the law and 25 years old. What he’s not expecting is for the arrival of Annie, a young impressionable girl of 17…..and his former fiance’s baby sister. Or the protectiveness he feels for her.
Susannah “Annie” Kennedy has left her home in Iowa to move on from her past and embrace a future in Boston. Her parents are dead now, her sister has raved about Boston and she’s ready to embrace a life out side of her straight and narrow past. When an circumstance arises and Annie finds herself face to face with Steven O’Connor, her sisters ex, she’s embarrassed…..and highly attracted to him! There’s just one little problem with that….he doesn’t realize that she’s Maggie’s baby sister.
Watching as these two came to terms with their past, and seeking forgiveness to over come it, and move on to a life filled with love and happiness was absolutely tear jerking! I loved every minute of this amazing 5 Book conclusion to my favorite series. Ms. Lessman kept the intensity woven through out as she did with the previous books. Her messages of forgiveness, letting go and seeking His love are just as strong and sweep through the reader instantly. If you love passion, if you love heartbreaking redemption and amazing historic detail, then look no further than the author who can create an unforgettable, un-put-downable novel that will spin the readers mind out of control. Well done Ms. Lessman and I am anxious to see what you have in story for your fans next…will we get glimpses of the O’Connor’s? Will we get to fall in love with another amazing family? Keep up the amazing writing, Ms. Lessman!
It doesn't seem like that long ago when I picked up a book with a pretty redhead and a handsome, brooding gentleman on the cover and "met" a favorite new author in Julie Lessman. Can it be that it has almost been five years since the book that started it all, A Passion Most Pure was first published?! Through 6 books and two different series's we've followed the O'Connor family through war, illness,and the Great Depression -- sadly it's all come to an end with A Love Surrendered, the last book in the Winds of Change series. Fortunately for all of us readers it ends on a very high note.
A Love Surrendered follows young Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor, Marcy and Patrick's last single son. Steven is a handsome government agent whose job is to raid and shut down Boston's speakeasies and on occasion rescue fair damsels from thugs in dark alleyways. Annie, almost 18, longs to be seen as a grownup and starts hanging around her elder sister's old friends hoping to escape from a stuffy, prudish aunt. Little does she know the risks she's taking will involve not only her personal safety but potentially her heart. Will Steven overcome his past with the help of a young woman with an innocent smile or will he be doomed forever?
Sigh...just typing this review makes me think of all that has happened in this epic (trust me, it's epic) series. Every single book has been a roller-coaster and this one was no different. One minute Annie's wanting to do almost anything to want to fit in with her friends and the next minute she's deep in thought about family or doing the "right" thing. It definitely fits with the character of a teenager! Can you say frustrating?! However maddening her character may be Steven is ten times more so. Don't get me wrong, he's terrific as is his brother (they have great genes) but it bugged me to no end that he kept blaming himself the whole story for taking Annie's sister Maggie's innocence. I understood some of his guilt but it takes two to tango and she was a willing partner who was quite the seductress herself. Other than that one beef I thought the storyline was excellent. I loved that he wanted to change his womanizing ways but that it wasn't easy for him - very realistically portrayed.
If you're at all familiar with this author's work then you know passion is a key part of the story and that is definitely present in this book but it is all tastefully done. Since this a continuing family saga all of the O'Connors and their spouses each have their own little life adventures in this book. If you're like me you are always wondering what happens after the wedding in the lives of heroes and heroines so seeing each couple again is a bonus. Just a word of warning, make sure you read each of the Daughters of Boston books and Winds of Change books in order or you will have a tough time keeping everything straight in your head, there are a lot of characters in this story.
A Love Surrendered is a fitting end to the series and another excellent story from the pen of Julie Lessman. If you're looking for hours of drama, drama, drama pick this book up. If you're a fan of a love story with a message what are you waiting for, check this book out!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
A Love Surrendered follows young Annie Kennedy and Steven O'Connor, Marcy and Patrick's last single son. Steven is a handsome government agent whose job is to raid and shut down Boston's speakeasies and on occasion rescue fair damsels from thugs in dark alleyways. Annie, almost 18, longs to be seen as a grownup and starts hanging around her elder sister's old friends hoping to escape from a stuffy, prudish aunt. Little does she know the risks she's taking will involve not only her personal safety but potentially her heart. Will Steven overcome his past with the help of a young woman with an innocent smile or will he be doomed forever?
Sigh...just typing this review makes me think of all that has happened in this epic (trust me, it's epic) series. Every single book has been a roller-coaster and this one was no different. One minute Annie's wanting to do almost anything to want to fit in with her friends and the next minute she's deep in thought about family or doing the "right" thing. It definitely fits with the character of a teenager! Can you say frustrating?! However maddening her character may be Steven is ten times more so. Don't get me wrong, he's terrific as is his brother (they have great genes) but it bugged me to no end that he kept blaming himself the whole story for taking Annie's sister Maggie's innocence. I understood some of his guilt but it takes two to tango and she was a willing partner who was quite the seductress herself. Other than that one beef I thought the storyline was excellent. I loved that he wanted to change his womanizing ways but that it wasn't easy for him - very realistically portrayed.
If you're at all familiar with this author's work then you know passion is a key part of the story and that is definitely present in this book but it is all tastefully done. Since this a continuing family saga all of the O'Connors and their spouses each have their own little life adventures in this book. If you're like me you are always wondering what happens after the wedding in the lives of heroes and heroines so seeing each couple again is a bonus. Just a word of warning, make sure you read each of the Daughters of Boston books and Winds of Change books in order or you will have a tough time keeping everything straight in your head, there are a lot of characters in this story.
A Love Surrendered is a fitting end to the series and another excellent story from the pen of Julie Lessman. If you're looking for hours of drama, drama, drama pick this book up. If you're a fan of a love story with a message what are you waiting for, check this book out!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Wonderful end to a series!
A Love Surrendered is the final book in Julie Lessman’s Winds of Change series and the final O’Connor book. I knew this was the last book and was torn between savoring every word and reading as quickly as possible to find out what was going to happen - I chose the latter and finished this book in less than a day! Once I got started, I couldn’t put it down. I only quit when I was about to fall asleep reading!
I fell completely in love with the O’Connors during the last 5 books and was about to cry when I reached the end of this one! They felt like family and I didn’t want to see them go! The great part of books though, it that I can go back and “visit” them as often and as many times as I want.
This is Steven’s story, I was so excited when I realized that! I couldn’t wait to see where Julie would take him and what was going to happen next in the family. If you’ve read any of the other books, then you know Steven has had a rough go of it. He feels responsible for so much and can’t forgive himself for his mistakes. He has spent his whole life trying to measure up to some impossible standard and doesn’t even realize it.
Annie was the perfect heroine for him. So sweet and compassionate, but with a strong will, too. She was so real there were several times when I was thinking, “I would have totally done that!” Watching her grow up and spread her wings really hit home with me. Her faith journey did, too. She struggles with following God and honoring Him, as we all do. I love characters that are human, they make mistakes, sometimes the same one more than once, but they find God is still there for them, just as He is for us.
I loved taking this journey with them, watching them grow closer to God and learn what “a love surrendered” really means. One of the lines from the book says, “He [Jesus] gave his all, daughter, a love surrendered so completely that we are transformed from the dark into his glorious light.” This is the ultimate example of love surrendered, Jesus dying for us so that we might live with Him forever. All through the book, Annie and Steven learn of other examples of surrendering, not just in love, but to God and to His will.
This book touched my heart in so many ways. The message of surrender, obviously was very strong, but also redemption, grace and love. I’m not sure which part was my favorite, when Annie learned that God still loved her, or when Steven discovered that he didn’t have to be “good enough.” Julie, as always, has managed to tug both my heart-strings and my faith.
This book also continues to follow the other family members. I enjoyed catching up with them and seeing where their stories were going to lead. Luke and Katie, Sean and Emma, Faith and Collin, Marcy and Patrick, Gabe. Oh, I love Gabe! She’s one of those characters you just want to hug! I also adored the newest editions to the family, Annie’s Aunt Eleanor and sister Glory. Glory was so precious!
I was extremely pleased with how Julie ended the series, there were no unanswered questions, or anything left unsaid. It was sad for me, to say “goodbye,” but it was done with such finesse, you don’t even realize it’s over until you look at the next page and see “Acknowledgements.”
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
A Love Surrendered is the final book in Julie Lessman’s Winds of Change series and the final O’Connor book. I knew this was the last book and was torn between savoring every word and reading as quickly as possible to find out what was going to happen - I chose the latter and finished this book in less than a day! Once I got started, I couldn’t put it down. I only quit when I was about to fall asleep reading!
I fell completely in love with the O’Connors during the last 5 books and was about to cry when I reached the end of this one! They felt like family and I didn’t want to see them go! The great part of books though, it that I can go back and “visit” them as often and as many times as I want.
This is Steven’s story, I was so excited when I realized that! I couldn’t wait to see where Julie would take him and what was going to happen next in the family. If you’ve read any of the other books, then you know Steven has had a rough go of it. He feels responsible for so much and can’t forgive himself for his mistakes. He has spent his whole life trying to measure up to some impossible standard and doesn’t even realize it.
Annie was the perfect heroine for him. So sweet and compassionate, but with a strong will, too. She was so real there were several times when I was thinking, “I would have totally done that!” Watching her grow up and spread her wings really hit home with me. Her faith journey did, too. She struggles with following God and honoring Him, as we all do. I love characters that are human, they make mistakes, sometimes the same one more than once, but they find God is still there for them, just as He is for us.
I loved taking this journey with them, watching them grow closer to God and learn what “a love surrendered” really means. One of the lines from the book says, “He [Jesus] gave his all, daughter, a love surrendered so completely that we are transformed from the dark into his glorious light.” This is the ultimate example of love surrendered, Jesus dying for us so that we might live with Him forever. All through the book, Annie and Steven learn of other examples of surrendering, not just in love, but to God and to His will.
This book touched my heart in so many ways. The message of surrender, obviously was very strong, but also redemption, grace and love. I’m not sure which part was my favorite, when Annie learned that God still loved her, or when Steven discovered that he didn’t have to be “good enough.” Julie, as always, has managed to tug both my heart-strings and my faith.
This book also continues to follow the other family members. I enjoyed catching up with them and seeing where their stories were going to lead. Luke and Katie, Sean and Emma, Faith and Collin, Marcy and Patrick, Gabe. Oh, I love Gabe! She’s one of those characters you just want to hug! I also adored the newest editions to the family, Annie’s Aunt Eleanor and sister Glory. Glory was so precious!
I was extremely pleased with how Julie ended the series, there were no unanswered questions, or anything left unsaid. It was sad for me, to say “goodbye,” but it was done with such finesse, you don’t even realize it’s over until you look at the next page and see “Acknowledgements.”
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book. Steven never made much of an impression on me before this point, at least until A Hope Undaunted(I think) when it was a decidedly negative one. But I love that about this series. A character you don't think about much will come out of the woodwork(or be completely new) and just grab your attention and your heart within the first few pages. As usual, I loved Steven and Annie pretty much from the get go, even though there were times I wanted to slap Steven. Fortunately Annie came through for some of them :)
But needless to say, I loved the book. And even though I'm loath to call it the end, it was a great ending to a great series. I will miss the O'Connors.
But needless to say, I loved the book. And even though I'm loath to call it the end, it was a great ending to a great series. I will miss the O'Connors.