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Harvey Girls #3
The Preacher's Daughter
An untouched woman...
Lorabeth Holdridge longed for life and experience! Cloistered by her strict father, her world was confined to chores and prayer. Her chance of escape came when she took a job as housekeeper to a boisterous family. Lorabeth reveled in her newfound freedom. And when Benjamin Chaney visited, she felt the stirrings of her first crush.
A hard-bitten man...
Jaded and cynical, Ben found it hard to trust, though Lorabeth's sweetness soothed his battered soul and taught him joy. But he would have to face the demons of his past to find a glorious future in Lorabeth's arms!
Lorabeth Holdridge longed for life and experience! Cloistered by her strict father, her world was confined to chores and prayer. Her chance of escape came when she took a job as housekeeper to a boisterous family. Lorabeth reveled in her newfound freedom. And when Benjamin Chaney visited, she felt the stirrings of her first crush.
A hard-bitten man...
Jaded and cynical, Ben found it hard to trust, though Lorabeth's sweetness soothed his battered soul and taught him joy. But he would have to face the demons of his past to find a glorious future in Lorabeth's arms!
291 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
14 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl St. John
72 books554 followersCheryl is the author of more than fifty historical and contemporary romances. Her stories have earned numerous RITA nominations, Romantic Times awards and are published in over a dozen languages.
In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.”
With a 4.9 star rating on amazon, her bestselling non-fiction book, Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict by Writers Digest Books is available in print and digital.
In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.”
With a 4.9 star rating on amazon, her bestselling non-fiction book, Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict by Writers Digest Books is available in print and digital.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 20, 2025
Ew
I know that this is called the preacher’s daughter and expected some religious stuff but this felt like purity culture on crack. The author has drunk the Kool Aid and I felt uncomfortable.
I do not remember her other books being this way. I wonder if this is either an earlier work or a later one.
The quotes from the hero’s perspective made him feel Iike a predator who was grooming a child.
most of all he appreciated her innocence and purity…
She was unspoiled and naive.
Lorabeth wanted to marry him. This beautiful, innocent, perfect woman
She was beautiful. She was perfect. She was pure.
The heroine is often described as child-like and pure. The hero must protect her from almost nothing, like her friends and community social events and she’s happy about it because he’s slightly less oppressive than her preacher father.
Anger welled in his chest, Lorabeth was too naive to be cavorting with the young men of the city he says this after she is walked home from her friend’s by a mutual friend that he introduced her too. A YOUNG MAN WHO GOES TO HER CHURCH.
Anyway this entire book glorified purity and had way too much scripture for a non-Christian romance. 🤢 Also lots of lessons being taught and many of them I do not agree with so this was definitely not for me.
It was written in 2007 but felt decades old. And the misogyny was off the charts. I am used to misogyny in historical romance, but usually the tone is that of contempt for it, the heroine is pushing against it and the hero either is on the right side or gets there in the end. This one felt like conservative propaganda to keep women in their place; naive, pure, protected by big strong men, must always be demure, perfect, nice, domestic, sacrificing, hard working and brain dead. 🤢 🤮 🔪 🩸. And the idea that a woman shouldn’t live her life freely and fully because she constantly needs to be protected and looked out for makes me want to vomit. No thank you. I think this author is going on my NONO shelf. I think I read her best book and won’t be exploring anything further as it does look like she now writes Christian or faith based romance. As a person who has only been in a church as a tourist and has no tie to any religion, this was too much for me.
Nitpick: she has a male calico cat named Mittens, male cats cannot be calico, two X chromosomes are required to make the calico pattern on a tabby. I don’t even like cats and I know this basic shit.
I know that this is called the preacher’s daughter and expected some religious stuff but this felt like purity culture on crack. The author has drunk the Kool Aid and I felt uncomfortable.
I do not remember her other books being this way. I wonder if this is either an earlier work or a later one.
The quotes from the hero’s perspective made him feel Iike a predator who was grooming a child.
most of all he appreciated her innocence and purity…
She was unspoiled and naive.
Lorabeth wanted to marry him. This beautiful, innocent, perfect woman
She was beautiful. She was perfect. She was pure.
The heroine is often described as child-like and pure. The hero must protect her from almost nothing, like her friends and community social events and she’s happy about it because he’s slightly less oppressive than her preacher father.
Anger welled in his chest, Lorabeth was too naive to be cavorting with the young men of the city he says this after she is walked home from her friend’s by a mutual friend that he introduced her too. A YOUNG MAN WHO GOES TO HER CHURCH.
Anyway this entire book glorified purity and had way too much scripture for a non-Christian romance. 🤢 Also lots of lessons being taught and many of them I do not agree with so this was definitely not for me.
It was written in 2007 but felt decades old. And the misogyny was off the charts. I am used to misogyny in historical romance, but usually the tone is that of contempt for it, the heroine is pushing against it and the hero either is on the right side or gets there in the end. This one felt like conservative propaganda to keep women in their place; naive, pure, protected by big strong men, must always be demure, perfect, nice, domestic, sacrificing, hard working and brain dead. 🤢 🤮 🔪 🩸. And the idea that a woman shouldn’t live her life freely and fully because she constantly needs to be protected and looked out for makes me want to vomit. No thank you. I think this author is going on my NONO shelf. I think I read her best book and won’t be exploring anything further as it does look like she now writes Christian or faith based romance. As a person who has only been in a church as a tourist and has no tie to any religion, this was too much for me.
Nitpick: she has a male calico cat named Mittens, male cats cannot be calico, two X chromosomes are required to make the calico pattern on a tabby. I don’t even like cats and I know this basic shit.
May 23, 2020
Reread 5/23/20
I stand by my original review. Will add:
-A bit slow moving.
-Dialogue was hard to follow at times. I had occasional difficulty figuring out who said what
because of the authors writing style of conversation. Not too distracting.(Could just be me).
++Original 1st read review++
4.5 stars
A super sweet low anxiety read with a perfect hero and a perfect heroine.
I wouldn't exactly call this a clean read because there are some very sensual parts, but the actual act itself is kinda glazed over, so it's borderline clean IMO.
I really love super sweet romances sometimes even more so than erotic ones. I guess it depends on my mood. So if you like sweet & tender..respectful and pure.. this is for you.
There is a little bit of bible quoting but I don't feel there is anything offense, nor would I call this a religious read. I mean it is about a preacher's daughter. Done well, not preachy.
I loved all the characters and I especially love the country atmosphere and time period feel.
I would definitively recommend this one and will certainly read more by this author.
Safety:
I stand by my original review. Will add:
-A bit slow moving.
-Dialogue was hard to follow at times. I had occasional difficulty figuring out who said what
because of the authors writing style of conversation. Not too distracting.(Could just be me).
++Original 1st read review++
4.5 stars
A super sweet low anxiety read with a perfect hero and a perfect heroine.
I wouldn't exactly call this a clean read because there are some very sensual parts, but the actual act itself is kinda glazed over, so it's borderline clean IMO.
I really love super sweet romances sometimes even more so than erotic ones. I guess it depends on my mood. So if you like sweet & tender..respectful and pure.. this is for you.
There is a little bit of bible quoting but I don't feel there is anything offense, nor would I call this a religious read. I mean it is about a preacher's daughter. Done well, not preachy.
I loved all the characters and I especially love the country atmosphere and time period feel.
I would definitively recommend this one and will certainly read more by this author.
Safety:
July 18, 2017
Since I rated this story so low I feel compelled to say why. I also did not finish the book, stopped about 75% the way through.
The writing, pacing and characters are all good. There were no problems in this area of the book. The prologue was really difficult to read and I ended up skipping over that when I got the picture of what was happening. It's not graphic at all, but was still uncomfortable for me to read.
Ben's mother was a prostitute who did not care about her children. Growing up Ben was subjected to watching all that his mother did, her drunken uncaring for him and his siblings, multiple miscarriages, the assault of his sister and eventual killing of a man by his hands. Ben's life was bad growing up to say the least.
He goes off to college and becomes a veterinarian caring for and loving animals. He builds a new life with his sister, her husband his nephews and nieces and brother.
When he meets Lorabeth he is conflicted with his desire for her, emotionally and physically. Completely understandable. I felt this plot line was vastly underutilized as conflict potential. Instead we are given Ben's father entering his life as conflict.
Yeah, that is just beyond awkward. Not only that but how it comes about is even more cringe inducing for me. His father's wife notices similarities between Ben and her husband and wants them to meet. That just absolutely baffles me.
Both Lorabeth and Ben's sister tell him that he should want to talk to his father. His sister says that it would be good to know who his father is and possibly establish a relationship. Lorabeth says he needs to forgive the man for what he did. I am now doubly baffled, I can't ever imagine saying this to someone, much less accepting that advice if I was in Ben's place.
Ben eventually takes Lorabeth to visit his father. They all sit down together; Ben, Lorabeth, his father and his wife, and have a really awkward discussion about how his father was with Ben's mother, casually mentioning he wasn't the only one (all of this in front of his wife!) and he hoped to be part of Ben's life now. Ben gets angry at him for being "one of them" (a man who visits prostitutes) and then goes on a tirade about how terrible his childhood was. Lorabeth cuts in and tells him to be quiet and listen to what his father has to say.
At this point I just quit reading and that actually annoys me. Half of me doesn't want the main couple to get married any more. I just can not imagine my fiance telling me to go visit the man who used my mother for his own gratification and listen to him asking to be a part of my life now as a twenty something adult. In my view there is absolutely nothing positive to come from this meeting at all.
I hate to end in a negative light. It's a well written book and I felt like I was there with the characters in their setting. Overall just disappointed with this one.
The writing, pacing and characters are all good. There were no problems in this area of the book. The prologue was really difficult to read and I ended up skipping over that when I got the picture of what was happening. It's not graphic at all, but was still uncomfortable for me to read.
Ben's mother was a prostitute who did not care about her children. Growing up Ben was subjected to watching all that his mother did, her drunken uncaring for him and his siblings, multiple miscarriages, the assault of his sister and eventual killing of a man by his hands. Ben's life was bad growing up to say the least.
He goes off to college and becomes a veterinarian caring for and loving animals. He builds a new life with his sister, her husband his nephews and nieces and brother.
When he meets Lorabeth he is conflicted with his desire for her, emotionally and physically. Completely understandable. I felt this plot line was vastly underutilized as conflict potential. Instead we are given Ben's father entering his life as conflict.
Yeah, that is just beyond awkward. Not only that but how it comes about is even more cringe inducing for me. His father's wife notices similarities between Ben and her husband and wants them to meet. That just absolutely baffles me.
Both Lorabeth and Ben's sister tell him that he should want to talk to his father. His sister says that it would be good to know who his father is and possibly establish a relationship. Lorabeth says he needs to forgive the man for what he did. I am now doubly baffled, I can't ever imagine saying this to someone, much less accepting that advice if I was in Ben's place.
Ben eventually takes Lorabeth to visit his father. They all sit down together; Ben, Lorabeth, his father and his wife, and have a really awkward discussion about how his father was with Ben's mother, casually mentioning he wasn't the only one (all of this in front of his wife!) and he hoped to be part of Ben's life now. Ben gets angry at him for being "one of them" (a man who visits prostitutes) and then goes on a tirade about how terrible his childhood was. Lorabeth cuts in and tells him to be quiet and listen to what his father has to say.
At this point I just quit reading and that actually annoys me. Half of me doesn't want the main couple to get married any more. I just can not imagine my fiance telling me to go visit the man who used my mother for his own gratification and listen to him asking to be a part of my life now as a twenty something adult. In my view there is absolutely nothing positive to come from this meeting at all.
I hate to end in a negative light. It's a well written book and I felt like I was there with the characters in their setting. Overall just disappointed with this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2011
Decent but not real gripping. Not a lot of tension or conflict. The use of religion here was realistic about a preacher's daughter falling in love with a prostitute's son. He has tried so long to overcome his upbringing that he isn't sure how to have a normal relationship without feeling like it is something dirty and she helps him overcome all that. Still was not real riveting.
January 21, 2025
Rating: 3 mehs / 5
After reading Sweet Annie, which I liked, and Land of Dreams, which I LOVED, I think it was reasonable for me to expect that my third read by Cheryl St. John would be...well, just as delightful.
Unfortunately though, overall I found it just okay, in that there was nothing wrong with it, but...for me, it was just boring.
The ironic part is that, based on the prologue, which is pretty harsh, you'd expect that the book might have a lot of twists and turns that just "go places", as the prologue does expose an unfortunate reality that happened for women at that time--and today, come to think of it, based on wherever a person might find themselves.
But...nope, the rest of the book is pretty much just bland, and with no real conflict that I could discern. The MC is Lorabeth, whose father is a preacher, and who feels quite restricted by his rules. She wants more than anything to be free and so she convinces him that Ellie, her friend and the hero, Ben's sister, needs her help more now that she has another baby on the way.
At first, I kind of thought that this would be the conflict: strict preacher father, forbidden romance, etc. But, in actuality, while Lorabeth's father's strict and apparently wiped out the hope from Lorabeth's mother that passed away, the story reveals him to be an actually okay guy. Strict and overly-religious, maybe, but he's not a fanatic or anything like that, and does legitimately just want his daughter to live a good life and with a good man.
No, the "conflict" (though I hesitate to call it that) is entirely on Ben's end, in that he is still traumatized what happened to his sister (in the prologue, and not graphically described, thank goodness!) and therefore shuts himself off and away from women. He does fall for Lorabeth though, so it's not so much the falling in love part that provides "conflict", but rather than he doesn't really engage her in the bedroom afterwards.
At least, that's the gist of what I got in terms of conflict to keep the story moving for those last 100 pages or so.
And...yup, that's about it. No prejudice, nothing to fight for in terms of their love; just Ben dealing with the private demons of his past. And, that being said, the bedroom scenes between him and Lorabeth were...well, pretty much a few kisses, then skip to when they're done, like a fade out and then back in. Just...not worth it, is what I can say.
As for the religious aspect, while I've seen other reviews saying that it's a lot...yeah, I didn't think so. That's actually something that makes sense given Lorabeth's upbringing (and duh, the title puts it all out there!), and also does help Ben in navigating his feelings and his past, so it did feel relevant and, in my opinion, not overdone.
That's about all I have to say on this, except to point out that I really hope this won't be anyone's first read by Cheryl St. John, because I really do feel that she can and HAS offered more as a writer. Just check out some of her other books to see.
After reading Sweet Annie, which I liked, and Land of Dreams, which I LOVED, I think it was reasonable for me to expect that my third read by Cheryl St. John would be...well, just as delightful.
Unfortunately though, overall I found it just okay, in that there was nothing wrong with it, but...for me, it was just boring.
The ironic part is that, based on the prologue, which is pretty harsh, you'd expect that the book might have a lot of twists and turns that just "go places", as the prologue does expose an unfortunate reality that happened for women at that time--and today, come to think of it, based on wherever a person might find themselves.
But...nope, the rest of the book is pretty much just bland, and with no real conflict that I could discern. The MC is Lorabeth, whose father is a preacher, and who feels quite restricted by his rules. She wants more than anything to be free and so she convinces him that Ellie, her friend and the hero, Ben's sister, needs her help more now that she has another baby on the way.
At first, I kind of thought that this would be the conflict: strict preacher father, forbidden romance, etc. But, in actuality, while Lorabeth's father's strict and apparently wiped out the hope from Lorabeth's mother that passed away, the story reveals him to be an actually okay guy. Strict and overly-religious, maybe, but he's not a fanatic or anything like that, and does legitimately just want his daughter to live a good life and with a good man.
No, the "conflict" (though I hesitate to call it that) is entirely on Ben's end, in that he is still traumatized what happened to his sister (in the prologue, and not graphically described, thank goodness!) and therefore shuts himself off and away from women. He does fall for Lorabeth though, so it's not so much the falling in love part that provides "conflict", but rather than he doesn't really engage her in the bedroom afterwards.
At least, that's the gist of what I got in terms of conflict to keep the story moving for those last 100 pages or so.
And...yup, that's about it. No prejudice, nothing to fight for in terms of their love; just Ben dealing with the private demons of his past. And, that being said, the bedroom scenes between him and Lorabeth were...well, pretty much a few kisses, then skip to when they're done, like a fade out and then back in. Just...not worth it, is what I can say.
As for the religious aspect, while I've seen other reviews saying that it's a lot...yeah, I didn't think so. That's actually something that makes sense given Lorabeth's upbringing (and duh, the title puts it all out there!), and also does help Ben in navigating his feelings and his past, so it did feel relevant and, in my opinion, not overdone.
That's about all I have to say on this, except to point out that I really hope this won't be anyone's first read by Cheryl St. John, because I really do feel that she can and HAS offered more as a writer. Just check out some of her other books to see.
January 19, 2022
-3 stars, maybe 2.5.
excessively sweet and innocent, with too much religion for my tastes.
"everyone needed to believe they were making a difference in the world, that there was a purpose and a function for their lives beyond just getting through this hour and this day."
"you just don't want to stop hating him because hate is easy."
excessively sweet and innocent, with too much religion for my tastes.
"everyone needed to believe they were making a difference in the world, that there was a purpose and a function for their lives beyond just getting through this hour and this day."
"you just don't want to stop hating him because hate is easy."
July 27, 2023
This is actually really bad😭😭
The way Benjamin’s trauma was discussed is really bad. And the way this book is always implying that women are to submit to men and they must be pure and untouched and innocent is making my head spin, I mean maybe the author wanted to send a message but she failed? Because this book is misogynistic af
The way Benjamin’s trauma was discussed is really bad. And the way this book is always implying that women are to submit to men and they must be pure and untouched and innocent is making my head spin, I mean maybe the author wanted to send a message but she failed? Because this book is misogynistic af
April 8, 2018
This is my second time reading this book, the first time was a number of years ago. While I liked it, it's a gentle book with endearing characters, there wasn't a whole lot of conflict in it I found. Still, I'm glad I read it.
December 17, 2016
Siento que estuve leyendo este libro por semanas, y puede ser, la verdad es que se hizo eterno.
Lorabeth es la hija del predicador. Vivió toda su vida de manera reservada, sin grandes relaciones sociales, bajo un padre estricto. Trabajar para los Chaney le cambia la vida porque ve una dinámica en esa familia que la fascina. Si no me equivoco, debe llevar cerca de dos años trabajando para ellos cuando toma la decisión de irse a vivir definitivamente con ellos. Su primer paso para una vida soñada.
Lorabeth es inocente, ingenua, virginal, casta, pura, obediente, trabajadora, servicial, religiosa, devota, respetuosa al padre, amable con los niños, excelente en la cocina, tiene gran mano con los niños Chaney, es dulce con los animales y para colmo es adorable, entusiasta, optimista, de buen humor, de temperamento noble, etc.
Leer tanta perfección fue abrumador por no decir aburrido. Lo gracioso es que en un momento ella se queja de que la tienen en un pedestal, que no le permiten cometer errores, disfrutar de su ignorancia, y tiene razón. Pero es que la autora no quiere bajarla del pedestal, hasta cuando hace un berrinche ella se disculpa siendo buena esposa. No estoy hecha para estas lecturas tan "correctas".
Lorabeth es la hija del predicador. Vivió toda su vida de manera reservada, sin grandes relaciones sociales, bajo un padre estricto. Trabajar para los Chaney le cambia la vida porque ve una dinámica en esa familia que la fascina. Si no me equivoco, debe llevar cerca de dos años trabajando para ellos cuando toma la decisión de irse a vivir definitivamente con ellos. Su primer paso para una vida soñada.
Lorabeth es inocente, ingenua, virginal, casta, pura, obediente, trabajadora, servicial, religiosa, devota, respetuosa al padre, amable con los niños, excelente en la cocina, tiene gran mano con los niños Chaney, es dulce con los animales y para colmo es adorable, entusiasta, optimista, de buen humor, de temperamento noble, etc.
Leer tanta perfección fue abrumador por no decir aburrido. Lo gracioso es que en un momento ella se queja de que la tienen en un pedestal, que no le permiten cometer errores, disfrutar de su ignorancia, y tiene razón. Pero es que la autora no quiere bajarla del pedestal, hasta cuando hace un berrinche ella se disculpa siendo buena esposa. No estoy hecha para estas lecturas tan "correctas".
March 10, 2020
3.4 stars
This wasn't bad. I liked the characters, the back story. I just wanted more emotion from the hero. I did get love from him, but he was slow to some things. He didn't even mention a relationship or marriage till she told him he was who she prayed for when wishing for a husband. He also kept so much from her, he finally told her some, but not all. His sister had to step in and tell her everything, since it was really her story to tell.
SPOILERS:
The hero's mother was an alcoholic and prostitute. He saw what she did, his sister had to steal for the little food they had, and their mother sold the sisters virginity when she was 13. He was 8 and tried so hard to save her, and failed. When he was 17 the same man tied him up, held him at gunpoint, and tried to take his sister to rape her again. He escaped, fought the man, and killed him. Now he is a 24 year old veterinarian who tries so hard not be a bad man. He feels unclean, son of a prostitute, a killer. He never thought he could be a husband or father. Because of all this, the heroine being a pure virgin was heavily important, and talk about more than once.
"He loved her honesty, admired her zeal for life…but most of all he appreciated her innocence and purity. She was a fresh clean breath of air in a stagnant world.
She was light in the midst of darkness. She was unspoiled and naive,and he loved those things about her"
The heroine grew up with a very strict preacher. No talking or laughing at dinner, couldn't go to college or read a newspaper, no games or anything fancy. She saw how miserable her mother was, watched it kill her. Then she had to do all the chores and watch her siblings leave and rarely come back. It is weird reading about such a naive woman, and of course she realizes the hero can give her all the experiences and wishes she hoped for.
After they are married the hero finds it hard to be intimate, to let himself go without feeling ashamed. I found this interesting since it is usually the woman. This makes her feel bad, and unloved in a way. She hides her pregnancy from him, for fear of his response. Once everything is revealed she tells him he is a good man, a hero, but she is not perfect, and she wants all of his heart. He didn't really react to the pregnancy, just his love for her.
Other interesting parts were his sisters family, who the h worked for. If you read the first book it will be nice to see how great the family was, and how much the h loved them too. We also see him find out who his father was. He was so mad at first but the h told him to forgive, they met him and his family, found out he never tried to use his mother, he had loved her, but she was to addicted to alcohol, and didn't want him in return. He never knew he had a child. The h also helps his sister, because she felt a bit jealous. She practically raised him, and he found a new family and wife all at the same time.
This wasn't bad. I liked the characters, the back story. I just wanted more emotion from the hero. I did get love from him, but he was slow to some things. He didn't even mention a relationship or marriage till she told him he was who she prayed for when wishing for a husband. He also kept so much from her, he finally told her some, but not all. His sister had to step in and tell her everything, since it was really her story to tell.
SPOILERS:
The hero's mother was an alcoholic and prostitute. He saw what she did, his sister had to steal for the little food they had, and their mother sold the sisters virginity when she was 13. He was 8 and tried so hard to save her, and failed. When he was 17 the same man tied him up, held him at gunpoint, and tried to take his sister to rape her again. He escaped, fought the man, and killed him. Now he is a 24 year old veterinarian who tries so hard not be a bad man. He feels unclean, son of a prostitute, a killer. He never thought he could be a husband or father. Because of all this, the heroine being a pure virgin was heavily important, and talk about more than once.
"He loved her honesty, admired her zeal for life…but most of all he appreciated her innocence and purity. She was a fresh clean breath of air in a stagnant world.
She was light in the midst of darkness. She was unspoiled and naive,and he loved those things about her"
The heroine grew up with a very strict preacher. No talking or laughing at dinner, couldn't go to college or read a newspaper, no games or anything fancy. She saw how miserable her mother was, watched it kill her. Then she had to do all the chores and watch her siblings leave and rarely come back. It is weird reading about such a naive woman, and of course she realizes the hero can give her all the experiences and wishes she hoped for.
After they are married the hero finds it hard to be intimate, to let himself go without feeling ashamed. I found this interesting since it is usually the woman. This makes her feel bad, and unloved in a way. She hides her pregnancy from him, for fear of his response. Once everything is revealed she tells him he is a good man, a hero, but she is not perfect, and she wants all of his heart. He didn't really react to the pregnancy, just his love for her.
Other interesting parts were his sisters family, who the h worked for. If you read the first book it will be nice to see how great the family was, and how much the h loved them too. We also see him find out who his father was. He was so mad at first but the h told him to forgive, they met him and his family, found out he never tried to use his mother, he had loved her, but she was to addicted to alcohol, and didn't want him in return. He never knew he had a child. The h also helps his sister, because she felt a bit jealous. She practically raised him, and he found a new family and wife all at the same time.
February 27, 2024
3.75 stars.
I honestly do not know why I have this book, or how long I had it. It’s definitely never been read, prior to me. So not a used book store purchase based on the cover. I never heard of the author nor would I willingly pick up a book from Harlequin. I mean my mom read Harlequin books when I was a child.
Regardless, in order to empty out my library of unread books I decided to give this book a few chapters to see if it was worth reading.
Guess what? I read the entire book.
It was a slow burn. Lots of superfluous writing to me, yet it was still so calming and enjoyable. Sure, there was bad parts (not bad writing, I mean bad things happened to good people). And there were a few cringe moments yet I still truly enjoyed it.
The character matches the depiction of her on the cover most perfectly. Based on the writing that is exactly how I would have envisioned her.
I am so glad I finally gave this book a go.
Will I seek out more Harlequin books? Nope, not likely. Yet I’m still so happy I read this book. I can most definitely recommend it to those who like clean-ish romance.
I honestly do not know why I have this book, or how long I had it. It’s definitely never been read, prior to me. So not a used book store purchase based on the cover. I never heard of the author nor would I willingly pick up a book from Harlequin. I mean my mom read Harlequin books when I was a child.
Regardless, in order to empty out my library of unread books I decided to give this book a few chapters to see if it was worth reading.
Guess what? I read the entire book.
It was a slow burn. Lots of superfluous writing to me, yet it was still so calming and enjoyable. Sure, there was bad parts (not bad writing, I mean bad things happened to good people). And there were a few cringe moments yet I still truly enjoyed it.
The character matches the depiction of her on the cover most perfectly. Based on the writing that is exactly how I would have envisioned her.
I am so glad I finally gave this book a go.
Will I seek out more Harlequin books? Nope, not likely. Yet I’m still so happy I read this book. I can most definitely recommend it to those who like clean-ish romance.
September 21, 2021
This wasn't my favorite romance, but I give her props for leaning into the virginity thing. Still there was just something I didn't buy about either character, they felt a little too constructed and not real. I like the h better than the H, but also ugh so Christian. I guess that's historically appropriate, and it wasn't truly a Christian romance (which is just a no go for me), but there's a lot of bible talk. Anyway, extra stars for the virginity stuff, and for giving such a tragic character a HEA.
June 15, 2024
It was so good to get to read about Benjamin and how he moves forward in his life. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, even if I found Lorabeth to be a bit too twee at times. Still, it was nice to have a soft story like this to read!
July 17, 2018
3.5 stars.
It was a sweet book. I did not like how stifled Lorabeth was in her father's home. I did not like that Ben became aloof and withdrawn after they married.
It was a sweet book. I did not like how stifled Lorabeth was in her father's home. I did not like that Ben became aloof and withdrawn after they married.
May 9, 2020
It was quite enjoyable.
September 8, 2021
This was dull, meandering, and lacked real romantic chemistry. I gather as much as I enjoy Cheryl St John’s other historical romances (The Tenderfoot Bride, The Secondhand Wife, The Gunslinger’s Bride) this sat like lead in my belly. It reminded me too much of Sunday School texts and sanitised, choreographed Christian love parables where people don’t put a foot wrong. And holier-than-thou, saintly characters with saintly motivations, that’s just not what I’m looking for. The whole point of storytelling is conflict and character development. I’m not sure there’s much of either. Lorabeth stays naive and Benjamin stays wholesome. It was a lot of nothing.
Next, underlying the entire story is a subtext that romantic love is second to love for God, so well, that’s not what I’m looking for. I’m looking for a book that prioritises romance, not religion.
There’s also something about the deeply Christian characters’ simmering denials and defences and coping mechanisms… then dissolved in an instant by Christian wisdoms and Biblical contemplation that literally read like deus ex machina ad infinitum.
As a reader, I’m not convinced the problems ever existed or were resolved (if there were any, like past hurts - they were clearly not insurmountable since Ben seemed to be coping fine in daily life, and even after confronting his birth father his life does not really change). It is almost because it takes faith in that religion to be convinced that there is a problem in the first place and that the problem is solved by the wisdom of that religion. Well the characters may have plenty of faith but I never became invested enough to adopt a faith like a character in this book.
When reading fiction I put on my hat look for plot holes and inexplicable beliefs by characters and closely examine motivations with a healthy dose of skepticism, and when reading the Bible I deliberately avoid looking for plot holes and submit to explanations of the inexplicable, avoiding cynicism. Because I expected this to be fiction and not religious reading, it was a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
If you’re looking for something safe for a twelve year old niece, this is the book for them. If you’re looking to avoid books like this one, avoid The Preacher’s Wife.
Next, underlying the entire story is a subtext that romantic love is second to love for God, so well, that’s not what I’m looking for. I’m looking for a book that prioritises romance, not religion.
There’s also something about the deeply Christian characters’ simmering denials and defences and coping mechanisms… then dissolved in an instant by Christian wisdoms and Biblical contemplation that literally read like deus ex machina ad infinitum.
As a reader, I’m not convinced the problems ever existed or were resolved (if there were any, like past hurts - they were clearly not insurmountable since Ben seemed to be coping fine in daily life, and even after confronting his birth father his life does not really change). It is almost because it takes faith in that religion to be convinced that there is a problem in the first place and that the problem is solved by the wisdom of that religion. Well the characters may have plenty of faith but I never became invested enough to adopt a faith like a character in this book.
When reading fiction I put on my hat look for plot holes and inexplicable beliefs by characters and closely examine motivations with a healthy dose of skepticism, and when reading the Bible I deliberately avoid looking for plot holes and submit to explanations of the inexplicable, avoiding cynicism. Because I expected this to be fiction and not religious reading, it was a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
If you’re looking for something safe for a twelve year old niece, this is the book for them. If you’re looking to avoid books like this one, avoid The Preacher’s Wife.
June 16, 2019
Please note: The hero of this novel, Ben Channey, has been in two of Cheryl St. John's previous books, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE and THE LAWMAN'S BRIDE. Reading them in order will add to your reading enjoyment.
Preacher Holdridge is a strict, unbending man. He held his wife and four children in his death-grip of obedience until his wife died. As soon as each child could escape, he and she did. Now it is Loribeth's turn to see what the world is about; although she worries about leaving the youngest, Simon, at home.
But Loribeth has a chance to live amongst a couple who genuinely love each other and their 4 (almost 5) young children as a mother's helper. She has already been helping Dr. Channey and Ellie for 2 years on a part-time basis, while still taking care of her home duties. Now, she has the chance to stay with them on a full-time basis and she jumps at the chance, although she gets 2 mornings off so she can continue to care for her home responsibilities. The Channey's think she is getting the time to spend on herself.
Ellie and her two brothers, Ben and Flynn come from a horrific home. Ellie and Flynn have come to a point where they have worked their way past their previous lives. Ben cannot. Although he is a veterinarian, Ben remains isolated and insulated from life. He enjoys being with his sister's children and Flynn, Ellie and his brother-in-law.
When he meets Loribeth, he is surprised by her kindness and gentle loveliness. Although Ben tries to evade her, he is drawn into her simplicity and generosity. They soon fall in love; Ben is able to set aside his ghosts with Loribeth's help. A lovely, well-written story.
Harvey Girls
1. The Doctor's Wife (1999)
2. The Tenderfoot Bride (2003)
3. The Lawman's Bride (2007)
The Preacher's Daughter
Preacher Holdridge is a strict, unbending man. He held his wife and four children in his death-grip of obedience until his wife died. As soon as each child could escape, he and she did. Now it is Loribeth's turn to see what the world is about; although she worries about leaving the youngest, Simon, at home.
But Loribeth has a chance to live amongst a couple who genuinely love each other and their 4 (almost 5) young children as a mother's helper. She has already been helping Dr. Channey and Ellie for 2 years on a part-time basis, while still taking care of her home duties. Now, she has the chance to stay with them on a full-time basis and she jumps at the chance, although she gets 2 mornings off so she can continue to care for her home responsibilities. The Channey's think she is getting the time to spend on herself.
Ellie and her two brothers, Ben and Flynn come from a horrific home. Ellie and Flynn have come to a point where they have worked their way past their previous lives. Ben cannot. Although he is a veterinarian, Ben remains isolated and insulated from life. He enjoys being with his sister's children and Flynn, Ellie and his brother-in-law.
When he meets Loribeth, he is surprised by her kindness and gentle loveliness. Although Ben tries to evade her, he is drawn into her simplicity and generosity. They soon fall in love; Ben is able to set aside his ghosts with Loribeth's help. A lovely, well-written story.
Harvey Girls
1. The Doctor's Wife (1999)
2. The Tenderfoot Bride (2003)
3. The Lawman's Bride (2007)
The Preacher's Daughter
May 12, 2013
Cheryl St. John is one of my favorite authors. She does not write often enough for m liking.
I am always hoping to come across something new from her.
I thought that I had read this book but maybe not.
I found found Loarabeth and Ben to be pretty credible characters. I would have liked to see something more of the person that Lorabeth's father was other than the stereotypical religious extremist.
I really enjoyed reading this story but I do reccomend that anyone else read the other in the series first so that they are familiar with the backstory.
It should be noted that there is a lot of reference to the Bible and God. It is perfectly in context to Lorabeth, the preacher's daughter however if that is a problem for any reader they might not want to read this book.
Cheryl St. John is one of my favorite romance authors. With her novel, The Secondhand Bride being one of my all-time favorite novels and not just of this genre. This one is not quite that good but it is worth reading.
I am always hoping to come across something new from her.
I thought that I had read this book but maybe not.
I found found Loarabeth and Ben to be pretty credible characters. I would have liked to see something more of the person that Lorabeth's father was other than the stereotypical religious extremist.
I really enjoyed reading this story but I do reccomend that anyone else read the other in the series first so that they are familiar with the backstory.
It should be noted that there is a lot of reference to the Bible and God. It is perfectly in context to Lorabeth, the preacher's daughter however if that is a problem for any reader they might not want to read this book.
Cheryl St. John is one of my favorite romance authors. With her novel, The Secondhand Bride being one of my all-time favorite novels and not just of this genre. This one is not quite that good but it is worth reading.
September 27, 2016
Lorabeth Holdridge, daughter of a strict preacher, has been helping Dr. Caleb Chaney and his wife, Ellie care for their 4 children and Ellie's brother, Monday through Friday. Now Ellie is close to term with their 5th child and Lorabeth convinces her father to let her live with them full time. Her 2 mornings a week that she is free she goes back and does her father's cleaning and laundry. But Lorabeth is happy to be able to experience life and some freedom. Ellie's brother, Ben, a veterinarian, spends a lot of time with the family and is drawn to the naive and innocent, Lorabeth and tries to guide her in her new freedom. His disastrous early life has left him with insecurity and nightmares. These two bring out the best in each other and become their support. Sweet romance with religious overtones.
September 20, 2012
An endearing book about the daughter of a hard-core minister trying to escape her father's egregious strictures, and the young man who feels unworthy of her regard because his mother was a prostitute.
February 16, 2008
This book is a keeper, but be sure to buy the prequel first.
March 20, 2017
Pretty good. More tender than some of hers, but the plot and the characters make that fit. Nice to see the characters from my fave book of hers (The Doctor's Wife) later in life.
July 20, 2011
Probably closer to a 3.5 rating,because the ending felt too rushed with no epilogue... but I enjoyed this sweet story. Ben was so endearing, and Lorabeth was a perfect match for him.
September 11, 2016
3/5; 3 stars; B
Not her best book, the preacher was a bit overdone, but still, a good romance.
Not her best book, the preacher was a bit overdone, but still, a good romance.
February 27, 2012
it was a sweet story very formula and not much spice
January 22, 2013
*happy sigh* A heartwarming HEA for Benjamin. With a perfect-for-him heroine.
September 6, 2015
The spiritual discussions were spot on but the story was on the boring side.
Want to read
June 30, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14086889
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14086889
June 12, 2023
2nd time around...nice, wholesome romantic tale with a bit of trauma thrown in for good measure.
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