I really enjoyed this book of a young woman from Boston serving as a companion to a grumpy, but interesting elderly lady from Hickory Ridge, Tenn. The time period is after the Civil War, so she had controversy with some of the townspeople, especially when she took an interest in a little girl of mixed heritage. I would recommend this book.
Beyond All Measure was a very sweet read. I love the post-Civil War setting. Love did an excellent job capturing the feelings of that time, especially the prejudices between North and South. The main character, Ada, is from Boston, and therefore an outsider to the people of Hickory Ridge, Tennessee. She had her own prejudices about the South, but by the novels end, they come to understand one another instead of painting everyone with the same brush.
Speaking of Tennessee, I really enjoyed the setting that Love created (being from Tennessee myself, it felt like home). The feel of the small town that is really starting to grow and prosper was strong.
The Christian aspects of the novel were also handled so well. Nothing was heavy-handed or preachy, and each instance fit within the story line. The characters had genuine fears and anxieties; they were wonderfully imperfect.
The romance between Ada and Wyatt was sweet and felt genuine. The way it played out was a bit predictable, but expected since it is a "Hickory Ridge romance." The ending felt a bit rushed for me, and I didn't want such a drastic turn-around on Ada's part. To say that you have completely let go of every fear in regards to love is unrealistic; to go ahead and fall in love anyway, but still have fears, that is real.
I will definitely read more books in the series, should Love write more; I want to see what happens to the other characters, and be swept back to Tennessee in 1871. Recommended, especially f you like sweet romances in a well done post-Civil War settings.
Speaking of Tennessee, I really enjoyed the setting that Love created (being from Tennessee myself, it felt like home). The feel of the small town that is really starting to grow and prosper was strong.
The Christian aspects of the novel were also handled so well. Nothing was heavy-handed or preachy, and each instance fit within the story line. The characters had genuine fears and anxieties; they were wonderfully imperfect.
The romance between Ada and Wyatt was sweet and felt genuine. The way it played out was a bit predictable, but expected since it is a "Hickory Ridge romance." The ending felt a bit rushed for me, and I didn't want such a drastic turn-around on Ada's part. To say that you have completely let go of every fear in regards to love is unrealistic; to go ahead and fall in love anyway, but still have fears, that is real.
I will definitely read more books in the series, should Love write more; I want to see what happens to the other characters, and be swept back to Tennessee in 1871. Recommended, especially f you like sweet romances in a well done post-Civil War settings.
