After reading about 1/4 of the book, I decided not to finish it. I am not a big romance fan, and from chapter one, Tessa was engrossed with Alex's rippling muscles and drowning in his cobalt blue eyes. Just mentioning that doesn't quite bother me, but when it goes on and on, chapter after chapter, her clearly lusting after this man, it just was too much (one quote that is very mild, "He was a beautiful specimen of manhood. She honestly had no desire to take her eyes off of him, even though she knew she was ogling inappropriately in front of the children.").
I thought about finishing the book and skimming the parts between her and Alex...but then Alex's brother Michael came onto the scene. And I just don't like love triangles. So, while I would have enjoyed the school situation, discover what Mr. Updegraff would say when Tessa started an adult school without his knowledge, I just could not in good conscience finish it.
So, while people who enjoy "swoon worthy" material may enjoy it, those who are trying to monitor the amount of romance they read will probably want to avoid this book.
*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review*
Thanks. I dislike that kind of book too!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Rebekah! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that Jody Hedlund is setting up for herslef a bad reputatuon for this kind of thing. She's just too...Detailed. ThOanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review. It is unfair to the author or the publisher to not read the entire book though when they're providing you with a copy, etc. Who knows what might happen in the end, or if the author addresses a particular issue later on? It isn't fair to base a review off of so little material and evidence - especially for the author's sake. If one can't read the entire book, then they shouldn't be reviewing. It's a risk a reviewer has to take, reading the entire book - but it's both fair to the author, the publisher, and to readers.
ReplyDelete@ Halee - agreed.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous - I understand where you're coming from, and I realize that I cannot give a complete review because I haven't read the whole book (which is why I left the "disclaimer" that I hadn't fully read it). However, Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." What Ms. Hedlund depicted in the first seven chapters of her book did not encourage me to think upright thoughts. If it were a matter of preference (I didn't like the style, the story line didn't grip me), I would have finished the book. However, this was an area of conviction--where the Lord led me to put the book away and to continue reading, I believe, would have been to disobey Him. Bethany House provided it in exchange of my honest review...and my honest review is that I could not, in good conscience before God, finish it. I never desire to thumbs-down any author, but I also desire to be upright in following God.