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erikkahedberg 's review for:
When Calls the Heart
by Janette Oke
I really wanted to like this book because I enjoy the Hallmark show so much (yeah...judge me). But I ended the book feeling little emotional connection to any of the characters (except poor little Andy), irritated by the "Christian themes" (and I'm a pastor's wife!), and cheated out of at least a little bit more romance.
I was hoping for more stories about Elizabeth's relationships with her community but instead got chapters and chapters of her mouse situation or trying to start stove fires. I didn't even feel a connection to her students - I think she listed them off once or twice, but there were few serious or meaningful interactions with them described. Wynn's role in the story was never large, which is crazy considering she gets engaged to him in the end - about half way, I was wondering when we would even be introduced to her love interest because there was no mention of a Mountie, yet, and Elizabeth had had no interaction with him (save seeing him once or twice). Also, HIS NAME IS WYNN. WHAT KIND OF NAME IS THAT. I must be ruined by Hallmark because Jack sounds like such a better fit for the character. Wynn?! Ugh...
I also felt that all of the "faith-based" elements were incredibly forced - they didn't feel natural or insightful. I found myself rolling my eyes at the part where Elizabeth's brother was telling his son that when he sins it basically puts Jesus back on the cross. COME ON. (To be honest, I started skimming those parts because they were incredibly cheesy).
The one part that I really did enjoy was Elizabeth's brother, Jonathan's family. It was great to finally see her interact with people on more than one occasion; although it was fairly surface-level. But I found myself thankful for the times that she went to Calgary because it meant we'd actually have her relating to people, and of course, in Calgary, there was more of a chance to interact with Wynn.
I guess I'm glad I read this book, but I'll stick to the Hallmark version...which is about as poorly written as I felt this book was, but is at least captivating...and not mostly about Elizabeth's mouse and fire sagas.
I was hoping for more stories about Elizabeth's relationships with her community but instead got chapters and chapters of her mouse situation or trying to start stove fires. I didn't even feel a connection to her students - I think she listed them off once or twice, but there were few serious or meaningful interactions with them described. Wynn's role in the story was never large, which is crazy considering she gets engaged to him in the end - about half way, I was wondering when we would even be introduced to her love interest because there was no mention of a Mountie, yet, and Elizabeth had had no interaction with him (save seeing him once or twice). Also, HIS NAME IS WYNN. WHAT KIND OF NAME IS THAT. I must be ruined by Hallmark because Jack sounds like such a better fit for the character. Wynn?! Ugh...
I also felt that all of the "faith-based" elements were incredibly forced - they didn't feel natural or insightful. I found myself rolling my eyes at the part where Elizabeth's brother was telling his son that when he sins it basically puts Jesus back on the cross. COME ON. (To be honest, I started skimming those parts because they were incredibly cheesy).
The one part that I really did enjoy was Elizabeth's brother, Jonathan's family. It was great to finally see her interact with people on more than one occasion; although it was fairly surface-level. But I found myself thankful for the times that she went to Calgary because it meant we'd actually have her relating to people, and of course, in Calgary, there was more of a chance to interact with Wynn.
I guess I'm glad I read this book, but I'll stick to the Hallmark version...which is about as poorly written as I felt this book was, but is at least captivating...and not mostly about Elizabeth's mouse and fire sagas.