Throwbook Thursday (Beyond All Measure)

Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love

              

        

Ada has loved deeply and lost dearly. But protecting her heart could mean missing the love of a lifetime.
Ada Wentworth may be young, but she's seen enough of life to know she can only rely on herself. Everyone including God it seems, has let her down. Having lost her family, her fiance, and her fortune, Ada journeys from Boston to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, to take a position as a lady's companion. Though initially charmed by the pretty little Southern town tucked into the foothills of the great Smokies, Ada plans to stay only until she can earn enough to establish a millinery shop.
Her employer, Wyatt Caldwell, the local lumber mill owner, is easily the kindest, most attractive man Ada has met in Hickory Ridge. He believes Providence has brought her to town and into his life. But how, after so many betrayals, can she ever trust again? Besides, Wyatt has a dream of his own. A dream that will one day take him far from Hickory Ridge.
As the South struggles to heal in the aftermath of the Civil War, one woman must let go of her painful past in order to embrace God's plans for her. Can she trust Him, and Wyatt, with her future and her heart?

Review

Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love was an interesting post/civil war historical. This is the first book in A Hickory Ridge Romance, a series that has become dependable in the historical genre. The historical aspect was really the main focus of the book. Ada could be aggravating and stubborn, but it just added a good dose personality to a book full of a hard time in history. I liked Wyatt, and though he was a good hero, I didn't totally buy into his and Ada's love. I would have liked it if their relationship was delved into a little more. However, the history was the main focus of the book, and from that stand point, it was an excellent novel. Beyond All Measure gave a gripping look into the lives of two people living after the civil war, trying to build a better South and a better life.

 *I received a copy of this book from the publishing house for review. All opinions expressed are mine and were not influenced by the author or publishing house.*

Hit by Lorie Ann Grover

About HIT by Lorie Ann Grover

After receiving a full-ride scholarship to Mills College for Girls, it appears Sarah's future is all laid out before her … that is until she walks into a poetry class led by Mr. Haddings, a student teacher from the nearby University of Washington. Suddenly, life on the UW campus seems very appealing, and Sarah finds herself using her poetry journal to subtly declare her feelings for Haddings. Convinced Mr. Haddings is flirting back, she sets off for school in the rain with a poem in her back pocket—one that will declare her feelings once and for all.
Mr. Haddings has noticed Sarah's attention; the fallout from any perceived relationship with a student is too great a risk, and he has decided to end all speculation that morning.
But everything changes when Mr. Haddings feels a thud on his front bumper when he glances away from the road, and finds Sarah in the street with blood pooling beneath her.

My Review 

If you pick up a Lorie Ann Grover novel, you should realize that her books are an experience like no other. Don't go in with preconceived ideas, thinking that this is going to be some sort of CBA version of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.

Because, personally, I think Hit is better.  

Hit spans two very traumatic days of Sarah's life, and is based off of a true story. Its a super fast read, and an even faster emotional roller-coaster.  I loved the realism found within the pages. The struggle the characters face is very real, and very present in the time that we live in. However, there is a message of hope and truth. The word I would use to describe this book would be overcome. There was just something beautiful about Hit.

It was pretty short, as mentioned, and I've heard some complaints about it not being quite fleshy enough. Sure, I would have loved to read some more, but the ending is a good one. Somehow, the end gave me the sense that the future was big, and it was going to be good, one way or the other. That God was going to finish the story in His own timing, and I can only imagine the impact that it would make.

Hit releases tomorrow, and I recommend the strong of heart go and grab it up. This book won't be for everyone. It's written in a unique voice, and it's unlike anything I've ever read. But if you abandon your checklist entitled "This is What a Novel Looks Like" (I know I had to!), you will find a highly thought-provoking tale.

Also, the poetry in the book is pretty awesome. Just FYI..
*I received a copy of Hit from the author for review. All opinions expressed are mine and were not influenced by the author or publishing house.*