Page Count: 384
Published on: July 7th 2015
Published by: Bethany House Publishing
Genre(s): Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, YA, Fiction, Christian Romance
Source: Print: Paperback: From Bethany House Publishing
Source: Print: Paperback: From Bethany House Publishing
Website: <susanannemason.com>
Goodreads synopsis:
Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.
Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?
Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?
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What I Loved:
- The characters are sooo well developed. I felt like I had a personal connection with them and I could empathize with their lives and their stories.
- Brianna: I really loved Brianna. She wanted to go to college and expand her mind and get her masters degree in library science (LIKE ME!!!) and I really enjoyed her persistance and independant spirit. I also loved how she was a romantic person and overall I really loved her personality.
- Colleen: At first I didn't really like Colleen, but as I got to know her, I really enjoyed her loving nature. I also liked how she found her peace with the Lord at the end. She's a romantic person at heart and I loved that.
- Gil: I kind of liked Gil, but the only things I really liked was his gentleness with Bri and the horses and the younger children. I really liked his intelligence and his driven attitude when it comes to saving Irish Meadows.
- Rylan: Now I absolutely loved Rylan. He was so dreamy and so sweet and caring and he has such a solid faith. I loved that he did his best to live his life according to God's word and I loved that.
- Their mother, Brianna & Colleen's mother, Mrs. O'Leary. She was fantastic! She didn't take crap from her stressed out husband and she kept him in his place. She only wants what's best for her family and I love it.
- I loved the spiritual aspect of this book. It is very well thought out and Bible based. I read it at a time that I needed it so thank you Jesus and thank you Susan Anne Mason for writing this.
What I Didn't Like:
- I didn't really like James O'Leary. I mean eventually he came to his senses, but I found him to be very selfish and mean.
- I also didn't like Gil very much. I mean he was a charming character but he had no back bone and he didn't follow his heart. He felt morally obligated to do whatever Mr. O'Leary expected him to do, even if he wanted to do the opposite.
- I feel like Susan used some cliche sayings or some trite phrases or even too many similes. I'm not exactly sure yet, but even though I've never read anything like this novel, I felt it to be kind of cliche but not cliche...do you guys understand what I'm trying to explain?
- I felt like Brianna went back and forth with what she wanted, which I guess is okay, but it got really annoying at times.
- Insta-love. I don't like it. The romance was cute but too fast.
- Susan Anne Mason didn't really talk about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I felt like there were some Catholic undertones, which is totally fine, but I felt like she could have focused on Jesus' sacrifice and his love for his children.
Over all this book was very good and I really enjoyed it. If you love Christian Romance you will really like this novel. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.
Enjoy guys!
Olivia
~livthebooknerd~
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