For years, everyone around me has been telling me, "If you have a passion for historical fiction, you will absolutely love this one!"

Given that I saw it's going to be adapted into a movie next year, I decided that I would give it a try and read it.

When I first picked up the book, I had a rather vague idea about what it was supposed to be about. However, as I delved into it, the majority of the time I found myself cringing.

I'm truly annoyed that the character Angel had to be "saved" by Micheal. It would have been far more interesting and engaging if she had managed to run away on her own and perhaps become a cook at an earlier stage. I really don't know.

To be honest, I was just not a fan of this book at all. Moreover, I also don't feel like I was able to get a true and immersive feel for the time period in which the story was set.

Overall, it was a rather disappointing reading experience for me.

The love I have for you is not a weapon but a safety rope and a means of salvation.

Hold my hand tightly and never let go.

•

Can love free any human being?

Is it possible for love to liberate us?

In that romantic and human epic

written by "Francine Rivers"

and inspired by the love story of Hosea and the prostitute Gomer in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The events of the novel take place in New England in 1835

telling us the story of "Sarah", the beautiful girl who

lives with her mother in a rural house only to discover later

that she is the result of an illegal relationship between her mother

and her father who abandoned her mother and left them. She then moves

with her mother to one of the poor villages

where her mother engages in prostitution to cover their expenses.

After a difficult period, Sarah's mother dies

due to a serious illness, leaving "Sarah" alone with

a drunk man named "Rube" who sells her

later to a lord who is looking for his son.

She is sold to the Duke, and Sarah discovers that he is sexually perverted. She is raped at the age of eight.

After living in hell for ten years with the Duke, she manages to escape and changes her name to Angel.

She is then raped again by the people on the ship that transports her.

During that time, she meets the Duchess who tries

to take advantage of her beauty to earn a lot of money. Angel agrees,

because for her, prostitution is better than rape.

"Angel" becomes the most famous prostitute in the city.

Later, she meets "Michael Hosea"

who falls in love with her at first sight

and tries to marry her and save her from the life

of sin and degradation that "Angel" is living.

What will their lives be like after that?

They will live in that story in a strange

romantic and spiritual atmosphere between Angel, who hates men,

and "Michael", the pious and believing man

who tries to save her from the darkness.

This novel expresses the value of spiritual love,

true love that means for human beings

despite their flaws, weaknesses, and mistakes,

true love for the sake of the soul and not

for the sake of the physical appearance or the fleeting beauty.

Angel's journey in which she tries to escape from the clutches of her savior

from her true love, she flees out of fear of him, and fear of herself and the sincere emotion that begins to arise in her,

and fear for him, until she realizes the truth, which she cannot deny, that her ultimate healing must come

from the one who loves her more than she loves herself,

"Michael Hosea", the one who will never let her go

from his hand, and which refers to the unconditional love of God

that penetrates all boundaries and walls and breaks all bonds.

Unconditional love of God,

love that surrounds human beings despite their falls and weaknesses,

love that liberates us all

There are numerous aspects, both positive and negative, that could potentially be discussed regarding this book. However, I have but one crucial point to make.

Forced sexual intercourse is rape, without exception. When her brother-in-law drives her through the desolate wilderness and demands that she engage in sexual activity with him, threatening to abandon her there if she refuses, he is exerting both physical and emotional coercion. This is unequivocally pure rape.

What truly nauseates me is the fact that she is somehow expected to "find forgiveness" for this heinous act, despite the fact that he never shows any remorse. Moreover, the book fails to properly recognize rape for what it truly is. This is especially egregious considering all the rape and systematic sexual abuse that this woman endured throughout her upbringing.

This situation closely resembles the reality of rape in the real world, where the victim is often unjustly blamed and the true nature of the sin goes unacknowledged and unaddressed. It is high time that we wake up and call this for what it is.

It also deeply troubles me that a significant number of people read this book and fail to perceive the sickness that lies within it. We must be more vigilant and discerning in our reading, and not shy away from confronting the uncomfortable truths that are presented.

I read this book a very, very long time ago.

However, until now, whenever someone asks me to recommend a novel, the first thing that comes to my mind is precisely this story! Very, very much!!!

And although I never read books twice, with very special exceptions, it seems that I won't be able to resist coming back to this book a second time!

This book left such a deep impression on me. The characters were vivid and the plot was engaging. It took me on an emotional journey that I still remember vividly.

Even after all these years, the story has stayed with me and continues to inspire me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good novel.

This book has been in existence for a considerable number of years. As a result, there isn't a great deal that I can contribute that hasn't already been expressed.

I opted to listen to the audio book, and I must say that the reader did an outstanding job.

Many aspects of the story vividly reflect the harsh reality and the lack of safeguarding for children during the 1800s.

It also delves into the dismal job opportunities that awaited a "fallen" woman during that era.

Furthermore, it showcases the redemption and growth that Angel manages to achieve, which is truly inspiring.

Overall, this book offers a captivating and thought-provoking look into a bygone era, with its well-developed characters and engaging plot.

My favorite novel of all time is a masterpiece that has captured my heart and imagination like no other.

It takes me on a thrilling journey through a world filled with vivid characters, complex emotions, and unexpected plot twists.

The author's writing style is so engaging that I find myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down.

Each chapter reveals new secrets and developments that keep me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

The novel explores themes such as love, loss, friendship, and betrayal, making it a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

It has taught me valuable lessons about life and human nature, and has left a lasting impression on me.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good story and wants to be transported to another world.

It truly is a literary gem that I will cherish forever.

DNF. I managed to skim through the rest while almost choking on my own vomit. Seriously, can I give this negative stars? Anyone who knows me well is aware that I rarely stop reading a book just because it's too awful or offensive. In fact, I'm a bit of a masochist in that regard. But this one truly defeated me. It felt like it grabbed me by the throat and shook me like a rabbit until I finally gave up.

I am absolutely FURIOUS that this book is so popular within Christian circles. It is so flat, so toxic, and so traumatizing for anyone who has had experience with or significant knowledge of abuse. Women who read this and found it to be inspiring and romantic, I have to wonder: how's your love life going? Because what Rivers attempts to pass off as "romantic" and "redemptive" in this book is actually abusive and terrifying. Let's state some facts: Marrying a dying, half-conscious woman without her informed consent because "God told you to" is WRONG. Pressuring her to have sex with you is also WRONG. A woman who was sex-trafficked at the age of 10 and forced into/kept in prostitution for years afterward is a VICTIM, not a godless harlot who needs to be made pure again. And if this woman you married and then repeatedly had sex with against her will just wants to attain financial freedom, get away from men, live in a nice little house, and help other victims of sexual violence, then LET HER and stop trying to break her to your will. Why does any of this even need to be said?!

Maybe the central flaw of this book is that it attempts to adapt the book of Hosea as a historical romance. That was never going to work. What we ended up with is a simplistic, graceless, toxic book that somehow manages to be graphic, prudish, and juvenile all at once. Michael Hosea is a rapist, abuser, and an all-around cardboard cutout who should IN NO WAY be a model for a Good Christian Man. And poor Angel is an abuse victim who, instead of escaping her situation and living on her own terms away from male violence, got trapped in the web of another abuser. She wasn't a sinner who needed to be redeemed; she was a survivor who needed comfort, empowerment, and unconditional love. She got none of those things in this book, and yet Rivers still frames it as a happy ending. I wept for Angel. I spent the entire book hoping desperately that, somehow, she would break free from the story Rivers was writing for her and be truly free. But it didn't happen. Instead, she was bent to the will of Rivers's "good and righteous" God and his nasty little mouthpiece, Michael.

I have no idea what is so rotten at the core of Christian culture that it produced this book and then praised it to the extent of getting a film adaptation (NOOOOOOO please why). Honestly, at the end of it all, I only know this: there is nothing redemptive or loving about Redeeming Love.

This may be the worst book I have ever read.

It is like a Christian version of Twilight, and is just as stupid and offensive as one would imagine that could be. At the beginning of the story, I forgave the poor writing because the book kept me turning the pages and I thought that the main character (Sarah/Angel) had the potential to be interesting. However, as the story progressed, her character seemed to act in different ways simply to move the plot along.

The author should have studied the psychological effects of abuse and rape on their victims as well as PTSD before writing this book. But I’m guessing that she didn’t. The character seemed to act in whatever way was convenient to the author.

Then there’s Michael Hosea. He was even worse. First off, why would you marry someone who is delirious and in and out of consciousness? Isn’t consent important? He gets frustrated that she isn’t as committed as he is, but really, what did he expect? She hadn’t made the commitment. Also, he makes creepy comments that Sarah should need him and obey him. He seems to have a god complex, yet all the other characters in the book look at him and believe that he is perfect.

The plot continually takes turns that feel incredibly contrived. Things that are extremely unlikely keep happening because the author simply wanted them in the story.

All of that I could take and just chalk up to poor writing, but what really bothers me is what this book insinuates about God. Even though the last section of this book has Sarah finding God, Michael Hosea is the clear savior in this story. His love “redeems” her. The book even says that he is her bridge to God!!! (Pg. 452) And it says of Sarah, “She had one single abiding purpose: to show Michael (Hosea) she loved him, and she peeled away the layers of pride one by one until she was humbled by her own nakedness.” Then, she cries on his feet and wipes away the tears with her hair. (Pg 460 – 461) God serves more as a fairy godmother than as a savior. He just magically fixes problems. Look at the epilogue. It’s ridiculous.

I could go on and on but I will leave it at this. Please don’t read this book, and if you do, at least get it from the library instead of buying it. The author and publisher should not be encouraged.

I read this novel for the first time in two days, and then I reread it four times over the course of three years. Its simplicity and depth force you to delve into the depths of humanity as you never have before.

Its words are filled with tolerance and unconditional love. On the simple surface, no one has the right to accuse or classify you. No one has power over your own self. The limitations may bind you, but you alone hold the keys to unlock them. And when you finish reading it, you completely understand that most of your pains originated from you because you were unable to tolerate yourself and unable to embrace your human nature that is prone to mistakes.

Sometimes, the tempests may tear you apart from within, and you lose the ability to continue in their wake. You wake up sick in your depths, denying all the blessings surrounding you. But your life may turn around by a mere coincidence. A coincidence that you receive a great love and a greater tolerance on your way. A coincidence that brings you the peace that you long for even if you think in your heart that you don't deserve it. All that is required of you at that time is to open the windows of your heart to the sun and to purify your soul to welcome love. Because despite everything that has happened, you are a human being who has the right to love and the right to be loved.

Simply, it is a novel suitable for those who seek difference.

Sarah, Angel, Amanda, they are all names of one girl.

Sarah, who was born into the world as a result of an illicit relationship, was abandoned by her father and her mother fled when she was eight years old. The church did not accept her mother's repentance, and her grandfather also did not allow her mother to return to his home. So, the mother had to work as a prostitute to earn a living. The mother died shortly after, leaving her daughter Sarah in the company of her drunk friend Rob. Rob later sold her to a cruel man named Duke. Duke did not hesitate to kill Rob in front of little Sarah. After abducting the child, Duke made her a little prostitute. After ten years, Sarah managed to escape but fell into the clutches of degradation again. No one pitied the child and her beauty; everything was destroyed in her small body.

Angel, that beautiful prostitute who was sold for gold to those who wanted to spend half an hour with her, was seen by Michael Hosea. His heart fell between his legs, and he decided to save her from a life of sin and degradation and marry her. From here, the story begins. At first, I did not empathize with Michael. Why did he impose his love on Angel? What was this grace that Michael believed in? But as I delved deeper into the novel, I understood that the author was dealing with Christian religious literature.

The author has a very beautiful writing style, and the reader can finish the book in one day.

Oh, if she could only be Eve again, a new creature in Paradise. Before the Fall.

  
    Oh, if she could only be Eve again, a new creature in Paradise. Before the Fall.
  

3.5 stars. I had painstakingly typed out a full review, only to accidentally close my window without saving. This second attempt will unfortunately have a couple of thoughts (and a very awesome quote) missing. Michael and Sarah/Angel are fated to be together. Michael's prayers have led him straight to Angel, and the moment he lays eyes on her, he knows she is the one he has been praying for. However, convincing Angel of this proves to be an uphill battle. For Angel is a prostitute, a woman who has known nothing but a life of being objectified by men. No one has ever shown her love or respect, which makes her extremely wary of Michael's good intentions.

Even though I ended up with a less detailed version of this story (the intimate scenes were toned down), I didn't really mind the lack of sex. What did bother me was the way the editing was done. It felt as if there were crucial pieces missing from the overall connection between the couple. If I had the original copy, I'm certain this would be a solid 4-star (or even higher) book for me.

Will non-inspirational readers like this book? In many cases, I think they will. The message here is more about patience and perseverance than anything else. Michael had to wait for years for his beloved Sarah (Angel) to let him into her heart. Fans of stories like Love Comes Softly will surely appreciate the love and effort Michael puts forth in his wait for Sarah.

  
    "You and I are not an accident."
  

If I had to be picky about anything, I would say that I wasn't a fan of the excessive inner dialogue. I was okay with God speaking to Michael and Sarah, but adding in the "dark" voice just created a dueling-banjos (or that classic cartoon with the devil and angel on each shoulder) effect. I believe the story would have had a greater impact if there were just a few moments of quiet prodding from God, rather than the "we hear everything from everyone" situation going on here. It got a bit too noisy in the characters' heads with all those question and answer sessions.

The best part of this story was following Michael and Sarah on their entire journey, from start to finish. The love might have been inspired, but achieving the Happy-Ever-After was no easy task. This is 1850's Gold-Rush California, a time when life was tough and one had to work hard to carve out a living. I have a passion for frontier and pioneer stories, and getting to see how people survived during those times was fascinating. I found myself rooting for these characters and empathizing with their struggles. It made the love story all the more sweet.

An added bonus was seeing the lives of the friends and people close to the main characters also achieve their own happy-ever-afters. Paul and Miriam's story was truly lovely (and a great tribute to Boaz and Ruth, one of my favorite Bible stories). All in all, I finished this read feeling content and inspired. I would definitely love to read something else from this author in the future.

I didn't get very far into this before realizing that it was R rated.

Luckily, I got it for free, so I haven't wasted any money and can happily throw it away.

One of the most concerning aspects of this book is that there are several reviews from non-Christians commenting on the graphic nature of it and stating that they wouldn't have thought the writer was a Christian.

This alone emphasizes why Christian authors must be cautious with their content as they are representing Jesus.

I am aware that this is intended to be based on the book of Hosea in the Bible. However, Rivers presents her main character as a prostitute before her marriage.

The moral implications of God's command for Hosea to marry a prostitute are complex. It seems best to view Gomer as chaste at the time of marriage to Hosea, only later becoming an immoral woman.

The first few chapters dealt with child rape, child trafficking, brothels, drunkenness, adultery, death, and more. That was sufficient.

If Rivers was attempting to relay the events in Hosea, I don't understand why she felt the need to include child rape and trafficking in her narrative.

The point of Hosea is God's love towards unfaithful Israel despite their waywardness, not on the graphic exploits of Gomer.

I don't recommend this book, which is full of graphic details for shock value.

For those who will undoubtedly comment that the book of Hosea also contains graphic scenes of a similar nature, it doesn't.

The whole focus is on Israel's unfaithfulness and God's impending judgment, not on the details of Gomer's sin.

The popularity of this book and some of the comments are representative of the "God as love" or "divine romancer" beliefs that are prevalent, as if God needs us and is desperate for us, rather than the other way around.

The author writes that God says, "Though you deny me, I love you with an everlasting love." This is not in line with Scripture, where God does not love with an everlasting love those who deny Him.

God hates sin (and sinners) and demands obedience. Yes, God loves us and forgives us when we sin if we approach Him through trust in Jesus, but that doesn't give us a license to sin or to presume upon His grace.

Redemption, the supposed theme of this book, should lead to a complete transformation of heart and life.

For those seeking a cleaner read by Francine Rivers, try "The Atonement Child," "And the Shofar Blew," or even "The Last Sin Eater," but avoid "Bridge to Haven." "The Scarlet Thread" is mediocre. Enjoy!

Check out my Francine Rivers shelf!