Irene Hannon is one of the few suspense authors that I read, but it's her contemporary fiction that holds the greatest attraction for me - and One Perfect Spring lives up to Irene's high standard of quality. Her prose flows smoothly and the characters are likeable, believable people that you could find in your neighborhood. They struggle with the same things we often face - how to make ends meet, serious illness, responsibilities, regrets from the past, strained relationships - even questions and doubts when it comes to faith. Yet God is at the center of this book and hope is present on every page.
One Perfect Spring is realistic, bittersweet, poignant, heartwarming - and definitely a page turner. There are four equally-strong main characters and two romantic storylines, each with great chemistry that will please romance fans. I love it when an author features a romance between an older couple, and Irene has done that exceptionally well with David and Maureen's story.
On the surface, this story is a romance - but there is so much more to discover as the story begins to unfold. Anyone who has worked hard to provide for their family, but missed many opportunities to show love through time and personal attention will relate to this story. Those who struggle with the life shadow cast by past mistakes will also be touched. I also thought the adoption theme was very moving. I initially had a suspicion as to how this particular storyline would play out, and was surprised when it went in a completely different direction. Plot twists like this add richness to the story, and I quickly realized that my idea wouldn't have been at all realistic.
These words of Maureen's stood out to me and seem to encompass the story's overall theme: "Lives should be judged as a whole, not by isolated incidents." Yes, God does redeem the past; God does heal; and God does work His purposes in our lives.
I hope many new readers will discover Irene's contemporary romance, especially One Perfect Spring. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
One Perfect Spring is realistic, bittersweet, poignant, heartwarming - and definitely a page turner. There are four equally-strong main characters and two romantic storylines, each with great chemistry that will please romance fans. I love it when an author features a romance between an older couple, and Irene has done that exceptionally well with David and Maureen's story.
On the surface, this story is a romance - but there is so much more to discover as the story begins to unfold. Anyone who has worked hard to provide for their family, but missed many opportunities to show love through time and personal attention will relate to this story. Those who struggle with the life shadow cast by past mistakes will also be touched. I also thought the adoption theme was very moving. I initially had a suspicion as to how this particular storyline would play out, and was surprised when it went in a completely different direction. Plot twists like this add richness to the story, and I quickly realized that my idea wouldn't have been at all realistic.
These words of Maureen's stood out to me and seem to encompass the story's overall theme: "Lives should be judged as a whole, not by isolated incidents." Yes, God does redeem the past; God does heal; and God does work His purposes in our lives.
I hope many new readers will discover Irene's contemporary romance, especially One Perfect Spring. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I am a big fan of Irene Hannon. But I have mainly chosen to read her suspense stories as those are more my cup of tea. Not that I don't mind a contemporary novel every now and then with more light reading but that is not my normal choice. This one sounded interesting and I liked it well enough.
The main character is a woman named Claire. She has an 11 year old daughter who writes a letter to a firm after hearing about the good deeds they do. So why does she write them? Her neighbor gave up a child for adoption many years ago and would love to find him but doesn't want to make everything public. So Haley pens this letter asking for help in finding Maureen's son. The note finds its way to Keith, a man who is all job and no fun. He dismisses the letter but his boss wants him to take the job. He has ulterior motives in wanting to help Keith move away from the all-business lifestyle. The boss, who is still grieving the death of his wife, had that lifestyle and realizes his mistakes after it is too late. Hence him trying to help Keith.
To make a long story short, we see romance in several lives and relationships restored. There were many fun parts but overall this is a sober book with lessons on forgiveness, family and love. I just loved Maureen and David(Keith's boss) and they were probably my favorite characters. Keith had a pretty nasty attitude in the beginning and throughout some of the book while Claire is a very stubborn and independent woman. Not that these were bad things at all but I found it hard to swallow at times. Overall though a great story! One to read so you can relax.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
The main character is a woman named Claire. She has an 11 year old daughter who writes a letter to a firm after hearing about the good deeds they do. So why does she write them? Her neighbor gave up a child for adoption many years ago and would love to find him but doesn't want to make everything public. So Haley pens this letter asking for help in finding Maureen's son. The note finds its way to Keith, a man who is all job and no fun. He dismisses the letter but his boss wants him to take the job. He has ulterior motives in wanting to help Keith move away from the all-business lifestyle. The boss, who is still grieving the death of his wife, had that lifestyle and realizes his mistakes after it is too late. Hence him trying to help Keith.
To make a long story short, we see romance in several lives and relationships restored. There were many fun parts but overall this is a sober book with lessons on forgiveness, family and love. I just loved Maureen and David(Keith's boss) and they were probably my favorite characters. Keith had a pretty nasty attitude in the beginning and throughout some of the book while Claire is a very stubborn and independent woman. Not that these were bad things at all but I found it hard to swallow at times. Overall though a great story! One to read so you can relax.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
