Helpful Score: 3
The book was slow for me. I felt Hake spent a lot of paper following the lives of the squaters on Galen's property, probably to draw symptathy from the reader. Only, I felt she did not succeed. 90% of the book, the squater girl, Ivy was irritating. And when Ivy was being deceitful, I found it unimaginable that she could continue with the charade with such non-chalance. I felt the burgeoning love from Galen towards Laney was flat, & certainly non-inspiring. And when Laney felt all her hopes dashed, it was maddening how her friends & family kept pushing "other" guys in her path, hoping for a transfer of her affections. Their insensitivity for her "grieving" period was inconsiderate & aggravating for me as a reader. Of course, everything worked out for the best in the last one or two chapters. But I was so irritated and bored throughout the book, that the neat packaged ending just wasn't enough to make this a good read.
Margaret C. (cherryblossommj) reviewed Bittersweet (California Historical, Bk 2) on + 157 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This review is of an ARC version of the book "Bittersweet" of the California Historical Series, book #2 by Cathy Marie Hake. After finishing book #1, "Letter Perfect", I could not help but be intrigued and eager to read the second installation of the lives I had come to care for and love in Folsom and the Broken P.
Receiving this book put me in a bit of a mood, because I ordered it from a swapping website and an ARC copy arrived. A few conversations and corrections later, the sender was extremely nice and apologetic and seemed thoroughly confused about it being an Advanced Reader Copy. Although I am even further confused how you cannot know that by the mostly white cover and the print "Advanced Reader Copy Not for sale" typed at the top and bottom of each page, but oh well, I got over it. Kinda. *wink*
Then, reading the synopsis on the back cover I was even a little more hesitant about reading this book. I just knew that I would not like it. The plot just lined up in a manner that I knew would make me angry.
Well. It took me a while to get through the first book. I read this one in two days. I could not put it down. I was right, I was angry. I was near to spitting nails and completely infuriated with the stupidity and arrogance and self centered... *rant rant rant* I was very upset with the way things turned out and were continuing to turn out. But then, that is the point is it not? Things will happen in our lives that we do not always agree with. We want to dictate to God what we want and how we want it to be. Even when he has something better in mind for the big picture, the stages of getting there are painful and not at all what we want to deal with.
Having finished this book, and in an attempt not to give anything away... I like the ending. It satisfied me. However, on one individual I still think they should have "fixed" a situation that was in their control once they had the power, but they did not and it had to be brought to a solution another way. It is true that it could definitely occur this way. And for these characters lives it did. That does not mean I have to like it. :)
I do recommend this read. I highly recommend that you read book #1 first, because then you will really understand the characters on a deeper level. But I encourage you to read it and share it.
Now.. I need more from Cathy Marie Hake.
Receiving this book put me in a bit of a mood, because I ordered it from a swapping website and an ARC copy arrived. A few conversations and corrections later, the sender was extremely nice and apologetic and seemed thoroughly confused about it being an Advanced Reader Copy. Although I am even further confused how you cannot know that by the mostly white cover and the print "Advanced Reader Copy Not for sale" typed at the top and bottom of each page, but oh well, I got over it. Kinda. *wink*
Then, reading the synopsis on the back cover I was even a little more hesitant about reading this book. I just knew that I would not like it. The plot just lined up in a manner that I knew would make me angry.
Well. It took me a while to get through the first book. I read this one in two days. I could not put it down. I was right, I was angry. I was near to spitting nails and completely infuriated with the stupidity and arrogance and self centered... *rant rant rant* I was very upset with the way things turned out and were continuing to turn out. But then, that is the point is it not? Things will happen in our lives that we do not always agree with. We want to dictate to God what we want and how we want it to be. Even when he has something better in mind for the big picture, the stages of getting there are painful and not at all what we want to deal with.
Having finished this book, and in an attempt not to give anything away... I like the ending. It satisfied me. However, on one individual I still think they should have "fixed" a situation that was in their control once they had the power, but they did not and it had to be brought to a solution another way. It is true that it could definitely occur this way. And for these characters lives it did. That does not mean I have to like it. :)
I do recommend this read. I highly recommend that you read book #1 first, because then you will really understand the characters on a deeper level. But I encourage you to read it and share it.
Now.. I need more from Cathy Marie Hake.
Samantha L. (samanthe79) reviewed Bittersweet (California Historical, Bk 2) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was wonderful. I enjoy reading about the old west, the farms, and the old family values. A happy ending is always nice, however knowing the trials to get there made this books morale even better.
I think all can relate on the trials to complete our dreams, and how sometimes letting go of them can make them come even closer.
I think all can relate on the trials to complete our dreams, and how sometimes letting go of them can make them come even closer.
Donna R. (readingjesusfreak) reviewed Bittersweet (California Historical, Bk 2) on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed reading this book. Cathy really brings this character to life.
Courtney A. (aggielawyer) -
Helpful Score: 1
I selected this book at random after enjoying "Fancy Pants." I wasn't aware that this is the 2nd in a series, and wish I had read them in order. Other than that I really liked this book. Laney has long wanted to marry Galen, but he only sees her as his friends little sister. Just when he starts to realize that she is a woman worthy of his attentions, something happens that prevents them from being together. My only quibble with this book was that when the lie is told about Galen, no one among his family or best friends questions it. They also counsel Laney to move on and don't seem to want to give her time to grieve over what she's lost. Eventually, the truth is revealed and things move on to a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed this book very much and will be reading much more from this author.
Helpful Score: 1
Really liked this book, had a hard time getting to like the characters at first but at the end it was a book I couldn't put down.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was well written. Laney was in love with Galen, however, Galen did not have the same feelings for Laney. When Ivy states that the baby she is going to have is Galen's, her brother Ishmael forces Galen to marry her in the church in front of most of the town. Ms Hake shows how we need to listen to what the Holy Spirit tells us to do in all situations, even when we think there is no way we can do that. Laney befriended Ivy even though her heart was breaking from the loss of Galen. In the end, Laney was blessed in a way she never thought possible.
This is an excellent book! Really made me step back and look at my walk with God. There is never a dull moment! It was so hard to put it down when I had to.
Anna H. (dancingqueen18) -
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well-developed and believable. There were a few good twists in the plot.
Sharon F. (bookworm01) reviewed Bittersweet (California Historical, Bk 2) on + 138 more book reviews
This book is the sequel to Letter Perfect. It's Galen and Laney's story. It certainly is not smooth sailing for this two. If ever a title fit a book, this one does! I just loved the characters! They were all in Letter Perfect so I already knew them. Galen's name should have been Job. God tried him almost as much as Job but things do work
out in God's time....not ours. This book is an excellent example of that. Cathy Marie
Hake is a true gem! 5 stars!
out in God's time....not ours. This book is an excellent example of that. Cathy Marie
Hake is a true gem! 5 stars!
I really liked this book. Cathy Marie Hake is a very good author.
Gloria W. (legalgloworm) reviewed Bittersweet (California Historical, Bk 2) on + 9 more book reviews
While most expect a love story to have some hurdles or difficulties, I don't think most authors would create the "difficulty" or "hurdle" of having a shotgun wedding for a pregnancy that Gavin is not responsible for. It's a story true to Christian teachings and very well written.
I love all of her books. This one was just as good. The author makes you feel like you are right there in the story with the characters, hurting when they hurt and laughing/smiling when they are. Good read!
I loved this book and couldn't put it down! I lost several hours of sleep reading as fast as I could to discover what happens to our main characters!
Good Book!
I always enjoy Hake's historical fiction. This one is a little predictable, but still really good. Good lessons about how God's plans are not our own and He uses even the tragedy in our life to work His purposes.
Teresa G. (tgriffis) -
This was another wonderful book by one of my favorite authors. I love when an author continues with characters from a previous book. And I thought the title was appropriate. I was a little disappointed in the turn of events about half way through the book, but was satisfied with the ending. Lots of LOL moments, too.
