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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Christine finds herself on a mission of volunteer service in Peru at the behest of her best friend after her fiancé leaves her at the altar. While there, she becomes emotionally attached to the children of an orphanage managed by a young doctor, Paul Cook. Of course she and Paul come to love each other, and as with most of Evans' books, both come with emotional wounds and residual sensitivity from past experiences. Together, they walk the healing road, and find happiness, with a mild surprise twist at the end. Evans is again at the top of his game, and we are the beneficiaries.
I appreciated the simple reminders of love, service, selflessness, and knowing what is really most important in life. Love that it is based on a true story and real people! I also like the authors writing style.
I just really did not like this book. The characters all felt one-dimensional, Paul was kind of a Mary Sue character, and the only thing attracting Christine to him was the plot.
It seemed vapid and shallow, and there was no depth beyond the romantic plot. Maybe I'm just not a romantic person, but while the book didn't actively make me angry, upset, or was noticeably bad or poor it committed a much more heinous sin: it was flat out boring.
It seemed vapid and shallow, and there was no depth beyond the romantic plot. Maybe I'm just not a romantic person, but while the book didn't actively make me angry, upset, or was noticeably bad or poor it committed a much more heinous sin: it was flat out boring.
The story itself is chicklit in pure teenaged form: chaste, romantic, happily-ever after. The characters give the illusion of being dynamic, but they're fairly two-dimensional and stereotypical in gender roles. Like Disney in written form. If you're fourteen and a girl, you will probably love this book. Otherwise, I suggest finding an alternative.
At least this audio book was narrated by Campbell Scott, and he has an awesome voice, so there was that redeeming aspect.
At least this audio book was narrated by Campbell Scott, and he has an awesome voice, so there was that redeeming aspect.
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content
Moderate: Child death, Death, Trafficking
Minor: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts
Reading the summary on the back of the book made the plot seem promising but it turns out I've set my expectations too high. At the beginning the plot captured my attention but as the story went on, I got more and more bored and couldn't wait to finish it, to move to a different book.
The setting was somewhat fun and adventurous, however as many others pointed out it's a pretty simple read with unrealistic and forced situations. Furthermore, I've had issues accepting that people in the Peruvian jungle eat cinnamon bagels and similar food mentioned in the book.
All in all it's a simple and fast read about a love story.
The setting was somewhat fun and adventurous, however as many others pointed out it's a pretty simple read with unrealistic and forced situations. Furthermore, I've had issues accepting that people in the Peruvian jungle eat cinnamon bagels and similar food mentioned in the book.
All in all it's a simple and fast read about a love story.
I read it when I was out of work for a week after a car accident, and it didn't totally suck so I kept reading. Sometimes Evans' novels get a little dry for me, but they're not terrible, and they generally tell a good story.
A very good book. It really made me think about the children of the world. A few comments in the book about why there are so many street children and what happens to them in Peru; family couldn't afford to feed them, get sold into prostitution, sold for their organs. Made me think about what is going on outside my little bubble. Is it more important to save one, of to save many? I guess it depends if you are that one of not.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I go back and forth on RPE, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's true that the plot and characters seem a little predictable, but ultimately that gives way to the sincerity of the storytelling.
Having had a few friends participate (and hoping to one day do so myself) in humanitarian trips like the one described in this novel, and hearing about and believing in their power to completely change lives, I identified with the premise, and was happily willing to go along for the rest of the ride.
Having had a few friends participate (and hoping to one day do so myself) in humanitarian trips like the one described in this novel, and hearing about and believing in their power to completely change lives, I identified with the premise, and was happily willing to go along for the rest of the ride.