Helpful Score: 3
I would give this book ten stars if I could! Wonderful story by a new author, Becky Wade! Highly recommended!!
Helpful Score: 2
It's been a long time since I read a romance novel that left me completely and utterly speechless. No joke...I'm not the target market for romance novels. I was as an impressionable, young, braces-on-my-teeth teenager complete with a dad who thought I shouldn't read so many of them (even if they were Christian). So, imagine my surprise to find one that I fell in love with from start to finish. I loved Matt's moodiness, Kate's persistence, and oh...those sweet, meddling, need-to-go-on-a-date seniors who were nosy as all-get-out. I loved the redemptive theme and the unfailing love of God that was present in every chapter. But if the truth be told, I really, really loved the romance. It was the kind that made me feel all giddy inside with loads of warm fuzzies. It was the kind that made me want to give my hubby that extra kiss in the morning before work. And it was the kind that made me thankful for parents who have been married for 40+ years and have had a romance that has endured all those hard times.
So, maybe I'll get back on that romance bandwagon. Well...leastwise when Becky Wade comes along with her next novel. You better believe that I'll be jumping on for that ride. :o)
So, maybe I'll get back on that romance bandwagon. Well...leastwise when Becky Wade comes along with her next novel. You better believe that I'll be jumping on for that ride. :o)
Helpful Score: 1
You know that book you fall in love with and dont want it to end, each page should NOT bring you closer to the ending and even though you have a dozen other books demanding a review, you keep dragging your feet on finishing this one, because you just dont want it to end? That is more than just a long run-on sentence; THAT is my unadulterated emotion about My Stubborn Heart. I flat. Out. Loved. It.
Fitting into this novel was like stepping into a Cinderella fairy taleand the glass slipper didnt pinch a bit. What reader wouldnt adore Kate? Shes tiny, but mighty, with a sense of humor and a persistence that grates on Matt, but boy did I love her! She is a simply endearing heroine.
Ladies, be still your beating heart, because Matt is the perfect, tall, dark and brooding hero we all seem to gravitate to in fiction. Why the tortured ones anyway?? Matt has got SO many dimensions to him. Not just a world-class athlete, hes gentle, sweet and loving. I loved watching his faith transform him.
What else? Hmm, humor. STELLAR writing quality. Vivid emotions and descriptions. I wanted the book to go on and on and on
I will admit to being disappointed in a couple crass word choices. Not something I was expecting and it cringed my heart.
Overall, five star read! Emotionally evocative in SO many ways. And yes, call caps just isnt good enough this time around. Totally awesome. Sigh.
This review is my honest opinion (I mean come on, why ELSE would I use so many words or ALL CAPS???). Thanks to the publishers and Litfuse for my copy to review.
Fitting into this novel was like stepping into a Cinderella fairy taleand the glass slipper didnt pinch a bit. What reader wouldnt adore Kate? Shes tiny, but mighty, with a sense of humor and a persistence that grates on Matt, but boy did I love her! She is a simply endearing heroine.
Ladies, be still your beating heart, because Matt is the perfect, tall, dark and brooding hero we all seem to gravitate to in fiction. Why the tortured ones anyway?? Matt has got SO many dimensions to him. Not just a world-class athlete, hes gentle, sweet and loving. I loved watching his faith transform him.
What else? Hmm, humor. STELLAR writing quality. Vivid emotions and descriptions. I wanted the book to go on and on and on
I will admit to being disappointed in a couple crass word choices. Not something I was expecting and it cringed my heart.
Overall, five star read! Emotionally evocative in SO many ways. And yes, call caps just isnt good enough this time around. Totally awesome. Sigh.
This review is my honest opinion (I mean come on, why ELSE would I use so many words or ALL CAPS???). Thanks to the publishers and Litfuse for my copy to review.
I was excited to read this debut novel from author Becky Wade. It sounded like an interesting plot and I couldn't help but smile over the back cover. I was somewhat disappointed in this novel and please stick with me as I tell you about it. I don't want to tear a book apart, and I hate doing this to an authors baby, but I feel like this is something I have to post about in my honest review.
The prologue made me tear up. I have never read a beginning to a story like this and it was very beautiful. I just wish the rest of the book had been like that. The story is about a young lady in her early 30's. She has had her share of the dating game and is now with her grandmother restoring an old house. The contracter is a handsome but brooding man who has turned his back on God after losing his wife to brain cancer and then leaving the hockey career. I was about 20 pages or so in when I ran across my first problem. There were a couple words that I normally don't use but they weren't swear words. I figured I could bypass them. Some people use terms that I don't care for and I could live with it. This happened several times and I was starting to get irritated with it. There were also a couple times of referring to a ladies chest that I thought was a little crude. But again, I figured, this is a book for women, I am sure we can handle it.
Then came something that kind of put me on edge. The hero uses a term that means he is upset with the heroine but not a term I use at all. And it is considered to be a swear word. Now I have had a couple swear words before in books, but never this term. I figured I would try a little bit more. And then another word was used and I just said forget it. This term is very crude and I don't believe it was allowed in a Christian book, much less penned by the author. It is often used in the outside world but I believe it should never have been allowed in a Christian book. I understand going through things and making the characters lifelike, but he is supposed to be already turning back to the Lord at this point. It just amazed me that it was in here.
I wouldn't feel comfortable even posting some of the term on here but definitely not a book I would recommend to anyone. Don't pick up this book unless you don't mind crudity and swearing. I hate ever having to post a review like this, but I felt to be honest I had to post about this. The book was entertaining, well written but yet, this was too much. I didn't finish the rest of the book after that term was used.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
The prologue made me tear up. I have never read a beginning to a story like this and it was very beautiful. I just wish the rest of the book had been like that. The story is about a young lady in her early 30's. She has had her share of the dating game and is now with her grandmother restoring an old house. The contracter is a handsome but brooding man who has turned his back on God after losing his wife to brain cancer and then leaving the hockey career. I was about 20 pages or so in when I ran across my first problem. There were a couple words that I normally don't use but they weren't swear words. I figured I could bypass them. Some people use terms that I don't care for and I could live with it. This happened several times and I was starting to get irritated with it. There were also a couple times of referring to a ladies chest that I thought was a little crude. But again, I figured, this is a book for women, I am sure we can handle it.
Then came something that kind of put me on edge. The hero uses a term that means he is upset with the heroine but not a term I use at all. And it is considered to be a swear word. Now I have had a couple swear words before in books, but never this term. I figured I would try a little bit more. And then another word was used and I just said forget it. This term is very crude and I don't believe it was allowed in a Christian book, much less penned by the author. It is often used in the outside world but I believe it should never have been allowed in a Christian book. I understand going through things and making the characters lifelike, but he is supposed to be already turning back to the Lord at this point. It just amazed me that it was in here.
I wouldn't feel comfortable even posting some of the term on here but definitely not a book I would recommend to anyone. Don't pick up this book unless you don't mind crudity and swearing. I hate ever having to post a review like this, but I felt to be honest I had to post about this. The book was entertaining, well written but yet, this was too much. I didn't finish the rest of the book after that term was used.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
I gave this book 5 Stars. I loved this book, I felt so drawn into the characters lives, I felt their pain and their joys. I have a new favorite author and will read everything she writes in the future. Someone complained about language and to be honest, I do not remember any bad language and I normally would have, maybe I was just too caught up in the story but I was not offended at all by this book. My heart will be smiling for days over this book. Also, someone said it did not uplift God but I thought it was totally uplifting, having recently started walking with the Lord again, after turning away because of great pain in my life, I felt great joy in the fact that Matt returned to God and the changes that only God could have made for him. In the end Kate realizes that God had not forsaken her and had done everything to bless her even though she did not realize it (or deserve it at the time in her rebellion). I feel like I must have read a different version than the ones a few of the reviewers read because I just did not see the same things. If I had not already promised it to someone, I would put it on my keeper shelf to read when I get discouraged with life.
I knew this book was worth 5 stars in the FIRST two pages and the story DOES NOT disappoint at any point along the way. This is Wades first book??!! She absolutely writes a bestseller with heart, hope, humor, and finding out how God can use brokenness even in a stubborn heart. If it were possible, Id bestow 6 or 7 stars on this book easily. I fell in love with Kates character right away and if she were real, Id want her for a best friend. I so understood her feelings, her faith, and her fears in every part of the story and anything she experienced I was right there with her. I have very little in common with her (Im not into antiques or taffy), but I totally related to the inability and not wanting to cook. Watching the friendship between her and Matt develop and grow while Kate puts all her creativity and efforts into restoring Chapel Bluff was such a treat and I really felt the large house transform into a real home as they worked on it.
There is plenty of romance, but the way Wade writes it is so subtle and precious that I was sucked into it and turning pages to see what would be the next step. Theres a scene in Pride and Prejudice where Darcy touches Elizabeths hand to help her into the carriage as she leaves. She is surprised at his gesture and as he walks away from the carriage, the camera focuses on his hand. His hand reacts to this touch they shared and the viewer comes to appreciate that even that little touch has so much power in it! Thats how it felt reading this book. The simplest gestures, looks, body language, conversation or lack of.speaks VOLUMES in this story! Its a challenge to convey this in a film much less in a book, but Wade effortlessly takes the reader through this journey of emotions and house restoration with each character and keeps you wanting more. I actually laughed and cried in this one, the tension in this story is tangible, and I learned a lot with Kate and Matts story. I hope Wade continues to writes books because her storytelling skills will resonate with readers for years to come and Im thankful for authors like her; she has touched me, inspired me, romanced me, and blessed me with her FIRST book, WOW!
There is plenty of romance, but the way Wade writes it is so subtle and precious that I was sucked into it and turning pages to see what would be the next step. Theres a scene in Pride and Prejudice where Darcy touches Elizabeths hand to help her into the carriage as she leaves. She is surprised at his gesture and as he walks away from the carriage, the camera focuses on his hand. His hand reacts to this touch they shared and the viewer comes to appreciate that even that little touch has so much power in it! Thats how it felt reading this book. The simplest gestures, looks, body language, conversation or lack of.speaks VOLUMES in this story! Its a challenge to convey this in a film much less in a book, but Wade effortlessly takes the reader through this journey of emotions and house restoration with each character and keeps you wanting more. I actually laughed and cried in this one, the tension in this story is tangible, and I learned a lot with Kate and Matts story. I hope Wade continues to writes books because her storytelling skills will resonate with readers for years to come and Im thankful for authors like her; she has touched me, inspired me, romanced me, and blessed me with her FIRST book, WOW!
I agree with one previous reviewer that this book pushes the boundaries of Christian fiction. I dislike the term "hottie" and it was definitely overused in this book.
The writer frequently used brand names of products, Ugg, North Face, Abercrombie, I thought the brand names were disruptive and unnecessary. I began to question if the writer was receiving financial incentives from these companies.
I did admire Kate's obedience to God. She made a difficult decision based on what she thought was God's guidance.
The writer frequently used brand names of products, Ugg, North Face, Abercrombie, I thought the brand names were disruptive and unnecessary. I began to question if the writer was receiving financial incentives from these companies.
I did admire Kate's obedience to God. She made a difficult decision based on what she thought was God's guidance.
I rarely read straight romance, but this book is fabulous! I love it! I think the reason I love it so much is because of the major spiritual theme of trusting God and following His will--no matter the cost. In addition to that, it has great characters, an exciting storyline, and a wonderful ending.
Kate Donovan takes a three month leave of absence from her job to go with her grandmother to Redbud, Pennsylvania and restore the grand old house she grew up in years ago. Kate enjoys her grandmother and her friends even though Kate is the only young person in the group. In between the high teas and hard work Kate also gets to know the local celebrity, Matt Jarreau, a former hockey player with a tragic past. As they grow to become friends, Kate wonders if there could ever be something more between them.
I thought the story line of this book sounded really good and was thrilled with the beginning as I saw the wonderfully funny descriptions the author used in Kates interaction with the seniors in her life. Her vivid descriptions, along with the absolutely hilarious antics of the characters, had me rolling as I eagerly delved into the book, anxious to see how it all turned out.
But alas, once again I came face to face with the realization that every book sold as Christian fiction does not necessarily bear fruit in that genre. This book had so much going for it in the beginning, but I quickly grew tired of several aspects that I could not overlook.
While I must give the author credit and say that the story did not in any way cross any boundaries in the relationship of Kate and Matt (no sex scenes), I was still offended that I had to read about a Christian girl having the hots for a man. Scattered throughout the book, there were several inappropriate phrases (in my opinion) that did not need to be in a Christians vocabulary and did nothing to honor God. I also was disappointed to see her date a man who drank. Yes, there was talk of God and letting him rule your life, there were scripture references and heartfelt prayers. But these did not help to cancel out the worldly and shallow behaviors of the characters who were supposed to have a genuine relationship with Him.
The sad thing about this book is that it is so well written and SO FUNNY without taking the next step to also being spiritually uplifting. I really wanted to like it but could not because of that very thing. I cannot begin to express how very, very tired I am of picking up a Christian fiction book only to find that it does nothing to glorify God but rather leaves me feeling that I have wasted my time. This was one of those books.
I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
I thought the story line of this book sounded really good and was thrilled with the beginning as I saw the wonderfully funny descriptions the author used in Kates interaction with the seniors in her life. Her vivid descriptions, along with the absolutely hilarious antics of the characters, had me rolling as I eagerly delved into the book, anxious to see how it all turned out.
But alas, once again I came face to face with the realization that every book sold as Christian fiction does not necessarily bear fruit in that genre. This book had so much going for it in the beginning, but I quickly grew tired of several aspects that I could not overlook.
While I must give the author credit and say that the story did not in any way cross any boundaries in the relationship of Kate and Matt (no sex scenes), I was still offended that I had to read about a Christian girl having the hots for a man. Scattered throughout the book, there were several inappropriate phrases (in my opinion) that did not need to be in a Christians vocabulary and did nothing to honor God. I also was disappointed to see her date a man who drank. Yes, there was talk of God and letting him rule your life, there were scripture references and heartfelt prayers. But these did not help to cancel out the worldly and shallow behaviors of the characters who were supposed to have a genuine relationship with Him.
The sad thing about this book is that it is so well written and SO FUNNY without taking the next step to also being spiritually uplifting. I really wanted to like it but could not because of that very thing. I cannot begin to express how very, very tired I am of picking up a Christian fiction book only to find that it does nothing to glorify God but rather leaves me feeling that I have wasted my time. This was one of those books.
I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
