I just finished my first book of the summer early, early this morning, as I couldn't sleep last night before finishing it off. Now I'm left disappointed that the book is over.
A friend handed me Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers over Memorial Day weekend, and once I actually decided to pick up the 464 page book, I absolutely couldn't put it down! Thanks, Trish, for sharing with me.
Redeeming Love is a book set in the mid-1800's that grips you from the Prologue. You really feel for the main character, Sarah, along her journey and hope she can get pull herself out of the mindset and the situation she is in. Sometimes you just wish you could shake her and say "Listen here!" The book definitely intends to pull at the heartstrings of your inner romantic. Michael Hosea acts as the Prince Charming of the book trying to rescue our beloved Sarah from herself and get her to love him and gain a relationship with the Lord.
I was able to find something about each character that I could relate with, something I found true in my own life or walk with Christ. The character that I understood the most, though, was Susanna Axle. At one point in the story, when she's trying to guide and comfort Sarah, she confesses that she is 'a fixer, a worrier.' She says that she has a difficult time 'just let[ting] things go.' I absolutely understand that. I too struggle with giving things to the Lord and letting Him take control! Proverbs 3:5 comes to mind a lot for me (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding) and it seemed to be one of the main themes of the book. God is in control!
I even liked the ending to the book. Sweet. Simple. Not too much information, not too little. Well done, Francine Rivers!
