Book Review and Giveaway: Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love

I found this story quite delightful.

Every Perfect Gift (A Hickory Ridge Romance)

by Dorothy Love

• File Size: 613 KB
• Print Length: 312 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (December 4, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B008GVYWC2

Genre: Historical Romance, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: December 4, 2012

Series: A Hickory Ridge Romance (Book 3)

Ethan and Sophie long to share a future together. But the secrets they’re not sharing could tear them apart.

Sophie Caldwell has returned to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, after years away. Despite the heartaches of her childhood, Sophie is determined to make a home, and a name, for herself in the growing town. A gifted writer, she plans to resurrect the local newspaper that so enchanted her as a girl.

Ethan Heyward’s idyllic childhood was shattered by a tragedy he has spent years trying to forget. An accomplished businessman and architect, he has built a majestic resort in the mountains above Hickory Ridge, drawing wealthy tourists from all over the country.

When Sophie interviews Ethan for the paper, he is impressed with her intelligence and astounded by her beauty. She’s equally intrigued but fears he will reject her if he learns about her shadowed past. Just as she summons the courage to tell him, Ethan’s own past unexpectedly and violently catches up with him, threatening not only his life but their budding romance.

“Pure Southern delight! Dorothy Love weaves a stirring romance . . . that uplifts and inspires the heart.” —Tamera Alexander, best-selling author of The Inheritance and A Lasting Impression

Review:
Sophie was dropped at the orphanage at four with unknown, therefore questionable, parents. She was 10 when  a local couple took her in and taught her the ropes of the local newspaper. The ‘family’ moved to Texas but after college Sophie decided she wanted to re-open the newspaper in her home town of Hickory Ridge. She knew it would be lot of work, especially facing the past and being a female in business in 1886.

Hickory Ridge is a small, dying town but it is being revitalized by the luxury resort being built in the mountains above the town. Sophie sets up an interview with the resort manager, Ethan. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Sophie is afraid that Ethan will reject her if he learns of her unknown parentage. Ethan has secrets and bitterness from his own past that return for him to face.

Sophie isn’t afraid to speak out and support her friends. Gillie is determined to get the town to help her open a medical clinic in town to serve those who can’t wait for the doctor to visit or can’t afford treatment. By supporting Gillie, Sophie angers the owner of the resort. He puts pressure on the town folk to ban their patronage of the newspaper making her struggles even harder.

The story has a good combination of romance, drama and a little action, to keep it interesting. There are conflicts that make it hard for Sophie to be honest and feel free to love Ethan. Ethan is unsettled with his bitter past creating a stumbling block for his future. I enjoyed the building of their sweet romance and the heart changes needed to overcome their conflicts.

I liked how the author presented historical issues involving racial prejudices and treatment of the laborers. The story also shows the difficulties resulting from one powerful businessman lording over a community. I greatly like the theme of gifts, emotional and tangible, that runs through the story. It encourages the reader to focus on blessings, not hardships.

The pacing was a bit slow in the middle and a few times I felt there were unnecessary details and scenes. Yet overall I really enjoyed the historical aspects, the surprises and the warmth and charm of the sweet romance.  There is inspiration shared in soft messages and there is a nice Group Reader Guide at the end. I will seek to read more from Ms. Love in the future.  If you like warm, feel-good, historical romance I recommend this book.

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Sophie has to face the voices of her past:

...shivering in the sharp wind that seemed to whisper long-past taunts. Mutt, Muddlebones. Mongrel. And worse.  Location 54.

Sophie worries over her unknown heritage:

But how was it possible to be truly at peace inside when there was so much she didn’t know, might never know, about who she was and where she came from? Location 607.

Her childhood friend, Robbie, has the answers:

“Maybe what you really need is the courage to believe that you are a perfect creation, just as you are. That our Creator knew what he was doing when he made you.”  Location 1418.

I received this book, through NetGalley, from Thomas Nelson.

This is set in Tennessee for my 2013 Where are You Reading list. This is also a New Author for me.

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