You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading Her Mother’s Hope earlier this year, I knew I wanted to read this one, too—that book just wasn’t quite complete by itself. I was prepared for a gripping, heart-wrenching read, and I got that—plus! Rivers does an incredible job capturing the joys and sorrows of family life, and showing what unresolved unforgiveness and bitterness can do to relationships—especially when we aren’t willing to discuss our grievances with open, receptive spirits. This book is a powerful character study, and that’s quite possibly my favorite element of the book.
Unfortunately, this didn’t end up being a favorite read for me, though. As much as I wanted to love the book (and it ticked all the boxes with a good blend of characters, history, and a fast-paced story), it had far too many mentions of a suggestive nature for me to be comfortable. I do NOT like reading bedroom scenes, and unfortunately, several times the fade to black was not early enough for my comfort. Several of the scenes were integral to the plot, and I understand and agree they had to be there, but other times, mentions were unnecessary to the plot, and that really bothered me.
So while I loved the book, I can’t recommend it. The history was fascinating; I’m not sure I’ve read another book that was so good at showing what the hippy movement was like without being overly graphic about it. Some of the other historical events in the story were also interesting to read about, since they are such recent history, and therefore, unlikely to appear in historical fiction. I enjoyed that aspect of the story. And as I mentioned, the characters are great—dynamic, relatable, flawed human beings. My favorite! But…in the end, this wasn’t the book for me. I do not plan on re-reading it because of some of the content, and that’s disappointing, because otherwise, this would easily have been a 5-star read for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Physical abuse
I engaged with this 2nd book of the series more than the first.
I felt like shouting at some of the characters, the way they treated their daughters and felt sorry for them not to understand each other.
They all went through some terrible hardships. I suppose it's true to life. I liked the fact that they eventually learnt to rely on God and Carolyn & her mother managed, at last, to sort things out.
I was hoping that May Flower Dawn would have a happy ending though.
All in all a good 2 book series.
I felt like shouting at some of the characters, the way they treated their daughters and felt sorry for them not to understand each other.
They all went through some terrible hardships. I suppose it's true to life. I liked the fact that they eventually learnt to rely on God and Carolyn & her mother managed, at last, to sort things out.
I was hoping that May Flower Dawn would have a happy ending though.
All in all a good 2 book series.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a painful book that hurts like physical therapy, where the pain leads to healing.
Every time that Rivers had the next generation start to speak, I was annoyed because the previous generation's story wasn't done yet. The even younger voices in this book weren't as good as the voices in book 1. Also, the pain felt so much deeper. (And the sin felt sinner, making this decidedly an adult-only series.)
I was also annoyed that the hopes from the last book's conclusion were dashed in this book.
The loss in the conclusion to the book felt so deep that it almost felt like the price of peace was too high.
This was worth reading, but I won't read it over and over again.
Every time that Rivers had the next generation start to speak, I was annoyed because the previous generation's story wasn't done yet. The even younger voices in this book weren't as good as the voices in book 1. Also, the pain felt so much deeper. (And the sin felt sinner, making this decidedly an adult-only series.)
I was also annoyed that the hopes from the last book's conclusion were dashed in this book.
The loss in the conclusion to the book felt so deep that it almost felt like the price of peace was too high.
This was worth reading, but I won't read it over and over again.
Okay this is 5/5 and makes the first book in the series 6/5
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Rape
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
a great Christian Fiction book I just stumbled on
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I didn't think this was as good as the first in the series throughout the first half, I was still gripped enough to make it through to the end, and the latter half really brought the whole thing together. I absolutely loved how the 2-book series was wrapped up. Reading through Marta's legacy had me smiling, crying, and gripping the edge of my seat to see how this will play out. It had me wanting to yell at the characters, to cry with them, to give them a hug. The core message, God is always with you, really shone through, especially at the end. It was another astounding series by Francine Rivers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Rape
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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:
Yes