Helpful Score: 3
Wow! I LOVED this book! Probably the best Christian chick lit I've ever read, in fact one of the best books I've ever read period! Not preachy a bit but had a great message and an EXCELLENT story! Definitely recommend this one!!
This book was very good.
Elle faces many trails and sometimes wonders what to do next. She never wonders for long as a sublte reminder of Who is in control seems to always show up when she needs it most. Elle's life changes more in one summer then mine has in three. Who will she end up with, Jeremiah or Heath? That question will plauge you until the end of the book. I could not stop reading! i would give this book 4.5 stars!
Elle faces many trails and sometimes wonders what to do next. She never wonders for long as a sublte reminder of Who is in control seems to always show up when she needs it most. Elle's life changes more in one summer then mine has in three. Who will she end up with, Jeremiah or Heath? That question will plauge you until the end of the book. I could not stop reading! i would give this book 4.5 stars!
Helpful Score: 1
This is predictable Christian chick lit. I was frustrated with the main character Elle who came across rather spineless and weak. It was an ok book, but I won't be seeking out anything more from this author...
Margaret C. (cherryblossommj) reviewed Love Starts with Elle (Beaufort, Bk 2) on + 157 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I do not know if I shall scream or cry or both. Love Starts with Elle is officially one of my favorite books of all time. It is by far my favorite book of contemporary Christian fiction. I enjoyed Sweet Caroline immensely, but it does not fully compare with the power and wonder of Elle. This is a sequel, but does stand alone on a firm foundation of Christ no less.
Elle is an artist, well in her heart. She mets Mr. Wonderful, who I did not like from page one, but he's so right. Until he's not, but really who is perfect? Well I did not see how in the world the plot could get her out of one situation or get her into another, but after reading the book in entirety I'm impressed. I cannot believe all that has happened. My goodness, our God is a mighty God.
Usually, I really do not like contemporary, because it's so real and harsh and there is just not enough "light". Rachel Hauck gives contemporary a good name. It is real, there is some harshness and full tears. But there is love and light beyond the darkness. The characters are so real, and I want to move to their town and lives near their lives. After Sweet Caroline I just could not see how the story could continue on in Elle's life, but it did and in such a neat way. I had my tears and my giggles. I got angry at people and frustrated when they did not head my suggestions. I cherish their joys and I cannot wait for more works to come from the wonder that I have found in Rachel's words on a page.
Elle is an artist, well in her heart. She mets Mr. Wonderful, who I did not like from page one, but he's so right. Until he's not, but really who is perfect? Well I did not see how in the world the plot could get her out of one situation or get her into another, but after reading the book in entirety I'm impressed. I cannot believe all that has happened. My goodness, our God is a mighty God.
Usually, I really do not like contemporary, because it's so real and harsh and there is just not enough "light". Rachel Hauck gives contemporary a good name. It is real, there is some harshness and full tears. But there is love and light beyond the darkness. The characters are so real, and I want to move to their town and lives near their lives. After Sweet Caroline I just could not see how the story could continue on in Elle's life, but it did and in such a neat way. I had my tears and my giggles. I got angry at people and frustrated when they did not head my suggestions. I cherish their joys and I cannot wait for more works to come from the wonder that I have found in Rachel's words on a page.
I loved this book. I didn't know that it was a spinoff of Sweet Caroline when I began reading it. Elle and Caroline emailed each other back and forth throughout the book. I read Sweet Caroline last summer and I had forgotten about Elle's character. I'm glad, because she's a lot different in this book. She's finally gotten a grasp on reality, which she didn't seem to have in Sweet Caroline. :) I really enjoyed the focus on prayer and time nurturing her relationship with God. I also loved the messages she received back. This book really dealt a lot with the end of relationships through breaking up, death and growing up. It also subtly hinted at how we can often block our own blessings. Elle is definitely a strong woman you want to read about.
Justina C. (stinasstoryspot) reviewed Love Starts with Elle (Beaufort, Bk 2) on + 30 more book reviews
This book is a sequel to Sweet Caroline, but not in a way that you have to have read Sweet Caroline to understand this one.
There were moments that were a bit predictable, but not predictable in a bad way, and I thought that the pacing was really good.
I thought that it was interesting that she chose to write this novel in the third person, when Sweet Caroline is told in the first, however I think that it was the right choice. Getting the narrative from multiple perspectives fleshed the story out in a way that the first person would not have allowed.
There were moments that were a bit predictable, but not predictable in a bad way, and I thought that the pacing was really good.
I thought that it was interesting that she chose to write this novel in the third person, when Sweet Caroline is told in the first, however I think that it was the right choice. Getting the narrative from multiple perspectives fleshed the story out in a way that the first person would not have allowed.
Light reading, loved it. Read it in one day.
This is the second book in a series but I didn't know that when I read the book and it is an excellent stand-alone book. Elle is living her dream, engaged to a pastor, and ready to start living the dream life. However, things don't go quite as planned and the wedding falls through. Elle is disillusioned and disappointed in God. She is renting her house to a widower who is only living in town for the summer. She becomes better acquainted with the widower and his small daughter and also grows in her relationship with God. It is a Christian book that isn't trying too hard to get some message through. Elle's character is well developed and the story sticks with you after you have finished reading.
