Title: A Love
Surrendered
Author: Julie Lessman
Pages: 396
Year: 2012
Publisher: Revell
What
a wonderful book Julie Lessman has written!
I was glued to my seat from the beginning. She does a great job of making her characters
three dimensional. There were parts
where I was in tears with the emotions that she was able to draw forth. The setting is Boston, Massachusetts in 1932.
Annie
and her young sister have recently moved in with their Aunt Eleanor their
mother’s sister. Her mother died two
years ago when Annie was 15, and her father died three months ago. He was a minister and instilled the love of
God in Annie. However, when God takes
her father, she is so angry with God she wants nothing more to do with
Him. She is now 17, almost 18, and tired
of being the “good girl”. She begins
hanging out with a “fast crowd” that her older sister Maggie used to hang out
with before moving to California. Among
this group of people is Steven O’Connor, Maggie’s former boyfriend. It has been three years since they have broken
up, and Annie is not prepared for the strong feelings she begins to have for
Steven. Does Annie ever return to God?
Steven
is 25 years old and a Prohibition Agent with the government. He sees himself as still in love with Maggie
even though he is the one who broke things off.
He has been miserable since then and not involved in any
relationship. He meets Annie and is
drawn to her even though he thinks she is too young for him. He has no idea she is Maggie’s little sister. He is very protective of Annie and sees her
as innocent and naïve, fresh off the farm and vulnerable to men, himself
included. He tries to deny what he feels
for Annie, but he is tired of fighting his unhappiness and begins dating
Annie. Will he find out who Annie is? Can he put his trust in an invisible
God? He believes in God, but he has no
personal relationship with Him.
Along
with the blooming relationship between Annie and Steven, there are subplots
involving Steven’s many siblings and their spouses, Annie and her aunt Eleanor,
Steven’s mother and father, as well as Annie and Maggie. Each subplot has a highlight on what a godly
marriage should be and what it shouldn’t.
Steven’s siblings have strong relationships with their spouses, their
other siblings and most importantly God.
The family drama adds another level of entertainment that really enriches
the story. A great read that shouldn’t
be missed!
My rating
is 5 stars.
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely
my responsibility. Other reviews can be
read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
. Also follow me on Twitter
@lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457
