Isn’t it truly annoying when a book manages to meet the impossibly high levels of hype? And as it turns out, it is indeed every bit as magnificent, beautiful, breathtaking, brilliant, heart wrenching, engrossing, and perfect as everyone claims?

I postponed reading Redeeming Love for the longest time, simply because it is just too beloved and too treasured. I was certain that it would end up being a disappointment.

However, it was not.

So here it is. I admit it. I was wrong, and you were right, EVERYONE IN THE WORLD! This book has truly lived up to all the praise and more. It has taken me on an emotional journey that I will never forget. The characters are so vivid and real, and the story is both heartwarming and heartrending. I am so glad that I finally decided to pick up this book and experience it for myself.

I would highly recommend Redeeming Love to anyone who is looking for a truly outstanding read. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

One of my very favorite books!

It is truly a remarkable piece of literature that has captured my heart and imagination.

The story is engaging from the very beginning, filled with interesting characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The author's writing style is vivid and descriptive, making it easy to picture the scenes and events in your mind.

Each chapter brings new surprises and developments, making it impossible to put the book down.

I love how the book explores various themes such as love, friendship, and courage.

It has taught me valuable lessons and has made me think about life in a different way.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good read!

You will not be disappointed!

One of the most wonderful things I have read is the novel "No Hope Ever" which I would love to read again and again.

This novel has left a deep impression on me with its captivating story and well-developed characters.

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

The author's writing style is also very engaging, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the world of the novel.

Every time I pick up this book, I feel like I am embarking on a new adventure, and I can't wait to see what will happen next.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good read.

It is truly a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Please note: I read the Kindle version which apparently is the clean Christian version. The original paperback is what I should have read. Darn. This is a Christian based love story about a prostitute finding redemption and spirituality with her farmer husband. The book quotes a lot of scripture and the story itself is based on the Bible story of Hosea and Gomer.

Set in California in the 1950’s during the gold rush, Sarah is working as a high priced prostitute. She has been owned since she was just eight years old. She catches the eye of a farmer named Michael. God speaks to Michael and tells him that Angel/Sarah is to be his wife. Michael sets out to wed the closed off Angel and offers her a home and freedom.

Michael and Angel/Sarah were wonderful characters and their love was epic. However, somewhere around 78 percent the story went pretty preachy for my tastes. Nonetheless, the writing was strong and it is a nice story of redemption and spiritual rebirth. The quote “Love cleanses, beloved. It doesn't beat you down. It doesn't cast blame. My love isn't a weapon. It's a lifeline. Reach out and take hold, and don't let go.” really stood out. Also, the line “Though fallen low, God raised her up, an angel.” added a nice touch to the story.

4 Angel Stars

I loved her, Lord. I loved her so deeply that I was willing to die for her, and yet she did this to me.

How can one forgive someone who doesn't even care enough to seek forgiveness?

Y'all, this book! It is truly the ultimate illustration of just how much God loves us and how He takes us back time and time again. I absolutely adore how the author, Francine Rivers, described how God desires to court us, but it is ultimately up to us to turn, to see Him, and to be faithful to Him.

The love story of Michael and Sarah is one that I will cherish for all eternity. Michael is definitely going on my list of favorite heroes! I am simply迫不及待 to watch this movie next week!!

I can only imagine how the on-screen adaptation will bring their story to life and further deepen my appreciation for this beautiful tale.

10000000000/5 stars!!!!! This book was truly outstanding! Rivers did not shy away from the difficult questions. Instead, she dealt with them in a biblically sound manner. The way she approached these complex issues added depth and authenticity to the story. I firmly believe that "Redeeming Love" will have a profound impact on everyone who reads it, regardless of their religious beliefs. Whether you are a devout Christian or simply someone who enjoys a well-written and thought-provoking novel, this book is a must-read. It has the power to touch your heart, make you think, and leave a lasting impression. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Poor quality writing is truly one of my pet peeves. As a Christian, it disappoints me to see all of the shallow fluff that is out there, written by fellow Christians, with the intention of inspiring me.

It seems that in today's world, there is an abundance of such writing that lacks depth and substance. Instead of delving into the profound teachings and messages of the Christian faith, these works often skate on the surface, offering only trite platitudes and empty words.

I long for writing that will challenge me, that will make me think deeply about my faith and how I can apply it to my daily life. I yearn for words that will touch my heart and move me to action.

It is my hope that Christian writers will strive to produce works of higher quality, works that will truly inspire and edify their readers. Only then can we hope to see a positive impact on the lives of those who read and engage with our writing.

Francine Rivers, born in 1946, was raised in a Christian home but didn't come to a personal faith in Christ until 1986 as an adult. By then, she was already a successful romance novelist, and writing was central to her life. Her new faith led to serious questions about how writing would fit into it. Eventually, she realized she still wanted to create stories that reflected her new understanding of faith and life. Her first novel after conversion, "Redeeming Love," was written as "a form of worship." Since then, she's written many other successful historical and contemporary general fiction novels for the "Christian fiction" market and is a major figure in the genre, winning the Christy Award (though not for this book as it was published in 1991 before the award existed).

The "Christian fiction" label may need clarification, especially for those who associate it negatively with overly sweet and sanitized writing. This novel has Christian content, with some characters being Christians who speak openly of their faith, and the protagonist's spiritual journey being a central theme. However, while there are no explicit descriptions of sexual acts or direct quotes of foul language, the subject matter isn't sanitized in other ways. It's based on the background of the Old Testament book of Hosea.

Rivers avoids allegory and focuses on the two central human characters and their relationships with each other and God. She moves the story nearly 3,000 years forward to 19th-century U.S., but keeps the basic premise. The tale involves what movie raters call "sexual situations" and is set in a morally grungy milieu, realistically depicted.

The book begins with a prologue set in 1835-1840 in New England and New York City, following Sarah from age three to eight when she's raped and trafficked into prostitution. The main story starts in 1850 in the gold rush boom town of Pair-a-Dice in northern California. "Angel" has escaped one brothel in New York only to end up in another. Michael, a Christian pioneer farmer, sees her and feels led by God to marry her. The story that follows is gritty, unpredictable, and at times dark, with revelations of things done to and by Angel. It's also fascinating, gripping, immersive, and powerful.
In my opinion, River's writing here is of high literary quality. Her characterizations are sharp, realistic, and nuanced. She handles prose well, with a flowing style that suits the story. The plot is realistic and challenging for the heroine and hero, and we often feel frustrated for them. The emotional impact is enormous, and the author's understanding of the psychological baggage of prostitutes is astute and compassionate. While the insta-love on Michael's part is a bit of a problem, Rivers makes it credible. The storyline fits the time period, and the themes are relevant today and timeless.
If you don't want to read about the sexual exploitation of women or see a prostitute as a sympathetic character, or if you hate religious belief or believers, this novel isn't for you. But for most readers of any faith or no faith, I highly recommend it. And don't be put off by it being shelved as "romance" as it's not like a typical Harlequin.

The story from Christian religious literature and is fully based on that to explain the importance of religion for achieving a safe haven.

One body with multiple strange lives... Sara, the innocent girl... Angel, the abducted and then identity-lost girl... Amanda or Teresa, the farmer's wife... to finally return to the delicate Sara, the wife of the beloved Michael.

A girl whom life and everything in it abandoned, starting from her father who was in love with her mother, passing through her mother's friend and facing the life of the fallen in every city until she abandoned herself and carried her burdens everywhere.

A proud girl around her heart as she didn't deserve life from the beginning, so she didn't believe in anything or anyone.

Hate, despair, and lack of faith... Exploitation, violence, and contempt... Unconditional love, forgiveness, and tolerance... Anger, resistance, and rejection of life...

Sara suffered from all this and she wasn't even twenty yet as she had lived full lives since the age of eight.

But she finally reached the shore of safety in front of her beloved Michael, from the lighthouse of her heart to the truth and the light, from mapping her path to salvation.

Enjoy...

Damتم قراء ❤❤❤

Just flipping through it made me realize: nope, not my cup of tea.

I decided to check this out because of all the enticing ads on Goodreads. Advertising DOES work, obviously!

I did not finish it so I will not rate it. Don't think I will watch the movie, either, because if I couldn't get through the first few chapters of the book, the movie will not likely hold my interest either.

(I don't watch TV anymore: cancelled my cable at the beginning of COVID - all that hype on the news was bringing me down! - and I have never regretted it!)

However, I can understand why some people might enjoy this book. Maybe they have different interests or reading preferences. It's important to remember that everyone is unique when it comes to what they like and dislike in literature.

Despite not being a fan of this particular book, I will continue to explore other titles. There are so many great books out there waiting to be discovered, and I'm excited to find ones that truly resonate with me.

Who knows, maybe the next book I pick up will become one of my all-time favorites.

Read the book of Hosea instead and don't go see the movie.

The book of Hosea offers a profound and in-depth exploration of themes such as love, forgiveness, and the relationship between God and His people. It presents a complex and nuanced narrative that can touch the hearts and minds of readers on a deep level.

When you read the book, you have the opportunity to engage with the text at your own pace, reflecting on the words and their meanings. You can analyze the characters, the plot, and the underlying messages, gaining a greater understanding of the story and its significance.

In contrast, a movie may only present a simplified and condensed version of the book. It may not be able to capture all of the details, emotions, and subtleties that make the book so powerful.

So, if you want to truly experience the story of Hosea, I encourage you to pick up the book and read it for yourself. You may be surprised by what you discover.

This book truly deserves far more than just 5 stars. It is, without a doubt, my new favorite book.

From the very first page, it had me completely captivated, constantly tugging at my heartstrings and speaking directly to my soul. The beauty within its pages is simply breathtaking, hitting you in a place where sometimes we all require an awakening.

It made me yearn to strive for another level in my life. Love, as this book so beautifully portrays, is not a mere toy or a sign of weakness. True love for others and for oneself is indeed a precious gift.

I find myself at a loss for words when it comes to describing the profound emotions that this book unearthed within me on a personal level. It is an absolute must-read. I dare you to pick it up and give it a chance. I firmly believe that it will move you just as deeply as it did me. ❤️❤️❤️