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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced
I really enjoy the Hallmark TV series, so I thought I would give the books a try. Overall, it didn’t live up to my hopes or expectations.
I found the writing to be rather stilted. Maybe it was the limited perspective of the first person point of view or simply that her writing style doesn’t personally interest me as much as others. The best part of the book was actually Elizabeth’s interactions and relationships with her students and community. While there is almost nothing the same between the book and tv show, the familial and community aspect was fun to read.
Th worst part was the “romance”. I put it in quotes because it’s hard to accurately call it that. It consisted of mainly physical attraction- though not heavily detailed so still very clean. The two characters aren’t chronicled as actually having spent much time together. And what little time they do spend, we get very few, if any, details on what happened or how they grew to know and love each other for who they are or their character. Most of their interactions involve Elizabeth being so flustered by his presence she can’t communicate like a rational human being, constantly being a klutz (she’s oddly only really a klutz around him and not any other time?), or her straight up trying to put him down because she misunderstands his marital status. Nothing really intriguing there and certainly nothing that should have grown their relationship. There is also no reason or justification given at the end for Wynn’s sudden and complete change from being resolutely against marriage to suddenly proposing.
I found the writing to be rather stilted. Maybe it was the limited perspective of the first person point of view or simply that her writing style doesn’t personally interest me as much as others. The best part of the book was actually Elizabeth’s interactions and relationships with her students and community. While there is almost nothing the same between the book and tv show, the familial and community aspect was fun to read.
Th worst part was the “romance”. I put it in quotes because it’s hard to accurately call it that. It consisted of mainly physical attraction- though not heavily detailed so still very clean. The two characters aren’t chronicled as actually having spent much time together. And what little time they do spend, we get very few, if any, details on what happened or how they grew to know and love each other for who they are or their character. Most of their interactions involve Elizabeth being so flustered by his presence she can’t communicate like a rational human being, constantly being a klutz (she’s oddly only really a klutz around him and not any other time?), or her straight up trying to put him down because she misunderstands his marital status. Nothing really intriguing there and certainly nothing that should have grown their relationship.
As you can see, I flew through this book and could not stop reading it. It was so beautifully written. From the plot, to the religious beliefs and values, and of course the characters.
Elizabeth (our main character), I found her story so fascinating and inspiring. I can’t imagine how life really was back then and how scary it can be to move across country to start a new life on your own as a young woman. Then again, it’s not so different than today.
The lessons in this book spoke of courage, strength, and restitution. These lessons were taught through religious faith (Christianity) + might I say beautifully written. This was my first historical Christian fiction, of the year + I am just taken away by it. LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! Very refreshing from what I’ve been reading and was a really much needed read for me as a young woman myself.
Elizabeth (our main character), I found her story so fascinating and inspiring. I can’t imagine how life really was back then and how scary it can be to move across country to start a new life on your own as a young woman. Then again, it’s not so different than today.
The lessons in this book spoke of courage, strength, and restitution. These lessons were taught through religious faith (Christianity) + might I say beautifully written. This was my first historical Christian fiction, of the year + I am just taken away by it. LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! Very refreshing from what I’ve been reading and was a really much needed read for me as a young woman myself.
2024 review: (2 stars)
This was one of my favorite books growing up, and on that basis this paperback has been moved around from house to house to house, across the country and back again. Unfortunately, I hadn't read it in probably fifteen years so I didn't realize that as I matured, so would my tastes in literature. Honestly, the only thing saving this from a one-star rating (and a donation of the novel) is that I have fond memories of reading this, and it's one my sister gave me.
What gave me the ick? Several things. The 0-60 repressed-pining-to-marriage-proposal. The character descriptions. The various preachy conversations that are overheard. Mostly though, it was Elizabeth FEEDING A MOUSE after her landlord's family spent a WEEK de-mousing her place, and the mice had destroyed her belongings!! And this was a "tee-hee" moment, a Disney Princess moment, an "oh the uncouth son of my landlord who we are not sympathetic to saw it and killed it oh no I'm sad but I have to pretend to be grateful" moment. Of all the ungrateful, hare-brained things to do. M'lady, do you want MORE mice? Because feeding a cute little mousie is how you get more mice.
"Love Comes Softly" might beat this one out now.
Original review: (4 stars)
The first book in my favorite series by Christian fiction author Janette Oke. A woman comes from "back east" to teach school "out west". Of course, there's a handsome mountie involved. :) I prefer this series to "Love Comes Softly" series. And I refuse to watch the Hallmark movies. I don't care, I have these characters imagined in my head and I have since I was 12. No backsies haha.
This was one of my favorite books growing up, and on that basis this paperback has been moved around from house to house to house, across the country and back again. Unfortunately, I hadn't read it in probably fifteen years so I didn't realize that as I matured, so would my tastes in literature. Honestly, the only thing saving this from a one-star rating (and a donation of the novel) is that I have fond memories of reading this, and it's one my sister gave me.
What gave me the ick? Several things. The 0-60 repressed-pining-to-marriage-proposal. The character descriptions. The various preachy conversations that are overheard. Mostly though, it was Elizabeth FEEDING A MOUSE after her landlord's family spent a WEEK de-mousing her place, and the mice had destroyed her belongings!! And this was a "tee-hee" moment, a Disney Princess moment, an "oh the uncouth son of my landlord who we are not sympathetic to saw it and killed it oh no I'm sad but I have to pretend to be grateful" moment. Of all the ungrateful, hare-brained things to do. M'lady, do you want MORE mice? Because feeding a cute little mousie is how you get more mice.
"Love Comes Softly" might beat this one out now.
Original review: (4 stars)
The first book in my favorite series by Christian fiction author Janette Oke. A woman comes from "back east" to teach school "out west". Of course, there's a handsome mountie involved. :) I prefer this series to "Love Comes Softly" series. And I refuse to watch the Hallmark movies. I don't care, I have these characters imagined in my head and I have since I was 12. No backsies haha.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
O início é meio parado, mas o final compensa tudo e qualquer coisa de ruim que possa ter tido no livro
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death
This is the first book I have read by Janette Oke's and I loved it. It was such a sweet simple story. I loved the characters and how determined Elizabeth and Wynn are. I can't wait to read all of Janette Oke's books!!
I read this book because I got completely obsessed with the show and wanted to get more of it. While this book was decent, it was definitely very different from the show and not really what I was looking for.