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Delivered With Love
An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman's inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California.There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.
Claire James, age twenty-three, is ready to make it on her own. When she's fired from her job as a waitress and subsequently kicked out of her sister's home, she sees it as an opportunity to start over. But even before moving, a thirty-five-year-old love letter written to her mother keeps Claire stuck in the past. Michael Thompson, a middle-aged real estate agent, wants to keep the past where it belongs--at least until his grown daughter is married. But, then a young woman comes to town . . .
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2011
42 people are currently reading
1477 people want to read
About the author
Sherry Kyle
18 books40 followersSHERRY KYLE is the author of DELIVERED WITH LOVE and THE HEART STONE, contemporary women's fiction set along the California coast, as well as WATERCOLOR DREAMS and ROAD TO HARMONY, historical romance. THE CHRISTIAN GIRL'S GUIDE TO STYLE, her first book for tween girls, received a Mom's Choice award for honoring excellence in family-friendly media, products, and services. Sherry and her husband, Douglas Kyle, live with their four children and two dogs in central California. You can find out more on Sherry's website. www.sherrykyle.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
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February 7, 2021Wow... dnf at page 14, I think thats a record but honestly I'm so unbelievably bored of this book already im not even going to try to get through it. The writing seems very rushed and thrown together and it doesn't flow nicely. It jumps so quickly from one thing to another.
March 10, 2013
I finished this book because it was a fluffy, easy read and sometimes I feel like reading drivel just for the snark material. There were so many things wrong with Delivered with Love that I'm not sure where to start. Instead of going into a rant, I'll just make a list of the flaws.
1. Stupid, naive main character.
2. Too many coincidences. Everyone she met (we're talking strangers) were somehow connected and of course... all Christians.
3. A cheesy romance. I tried to like it, but... ugh.
4. Preachy faith message. Actually, it wasn't too bad until the last few chapters, then it was like a sermon.
5. Predictable plot. I guessed every "twist" in the story.
6. Weak dialogue.
7. Humor that wasn't funny.
8. And lastly, my biggest issue with the story. Claire, the MC, trusts every stranger she meets. Like, "Little girl, do you want to come home with me in my creepy red van? I have candy!" And she's all, "Golly, what a nice man!!!" Seriously, her stupidity was overwhelming. In real life, she probably would've been raped, murdered, or kidnapped before the story was over. While I think God watches over us, he also gave us a brain for a reason!
I debated between giving it two or three stars because it's not the worst book I've ever read. But to me, three stars means, "An OK read that I enjoyed. Not amazing, but good." And Delivered with Love doesn't meet that standard, so two stars it is.
1. Stupid, naive main character.
2. Too many coincidences. Everyone she met (we're talking strangers) were somehow connected and of course... all Christians.
3. A cheesy romance. I tried to like it, but... ugh.
4. Preachy faith message. Actually, it wasn't too bad until the last few chapters, then it was like a sermon.
5. Predictable plot. I guessed every "twist" in the story.
6. Weak dialogue.
7. Humor that wasn't funny.
8. And lastly, my biggest issue with the story. Claire, the MC, trusts every stranger she meets. Like, "Little girl, do you want to come home with me in my creepy red van? I have candy!" And she's all, "Golly, what a nice man!!!" Seriously, her stupidity was overwhelming. In real life, she probably would've been raped, murdered, or kidnapped before the story was over. While I think God watches over us, he also gave us a brain for a reason!
I debated between giving it two or three stars because it's not the worst book I've ever read. But to me, three stars means, "An OK read that I enjoyed. Not amazing, but good." And Delivered with Love doesn't meet that standard, so two stars it is.
July 17, 2022
3,75 stars - English Ebook
The cover of Sherry Kyle's Delivered with Love is terrific. I only wish what was in-between the covers was as appealing. The premise is good, but my primary issue with this debut novel is that the secondary characters overshadow the heroine.
Claire is sweet and unassuming, but naive to the point of being careless and putting herself in potential danger. It seems that any time she needs something, someone is there and - voila! They provid just what she needs.
I certainly understand and appreciate how the Lord can provide time and again, but this is a little overkill to me.
The hero is too perfect, the dialogue stilted at times. Above all, it's the unrealistic coincidences that took the joy of reading this novel a little bit.
The cover of Sherry Kyle's Delivered with Love is terrific. I only wish what was in-between the covers was as appealing. The premise is good, but my primary issue with this debut novel is that the secondary characters overshadow the heroine.
Claire is sweet and unassuming, but naive to the point of being careless and putting herself in potential danger. It seems that any time she needs something, someone is there and - voila! They provid just what she needs.
I certainly understand and appreciate how the Lord can provide time and again, but this is a little overkill to me.
The hero is too perfect, the dialogue stilted at times. Above all, it's the unrealistic coincidences that took the joy of reading this novel a little bit.
July 10, 2011
This is a really good book! I won it on Margaret Daley blog! The characters are well written and really down to earth......You feel as if you are there with them!! It is a story of forgiveness of oneself and others. It is also one of second chances. It also tells us when we give our WHOLE lives to CHRIST, everything else falls into place.Also it teaches us not to hold grudges because they hurt us in the long run. It is just an overall good book!!!! I hope she makes it into a series because I would love to get to know the characters better.
May 31, 2011
I found the amount of coincidences in this book to be less "God will provide" and more "the mob is setting you up." Every person the main character ran into welcomed her with Christian open arms and made her life easier. A few of them really didn't add much to the plot and could have been cut out, making the book a little more believable. Being surrounded with the Providence of God, such as it was, was too much to swallow.
September 12, 2019
Delivered With Love
This was a good book how ever I do wish the author had done more to make it more interesting.I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
This was a good book how ever I do wish the author had done more to make it more interesting.I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
February 16, 2012
Description: Jobless and newly homeless, Claire takes off in pursuit of her mother’s mysterious past. Arriving in the town from which her mother was sent a letter signed by the unknown “M,” Claire reconnects with an old neighbor, rents a house from someone who might have written the letter, and falls for her hunky neighbor who cooks for her (who wouldn’t?)
Review source: This book was a freebie on kindle.
Plot: Pretty clunky. It’s obvious early on that it’s Christian fiction of the most annoying sort. Lots of coincidences (although in Christian fiction, they’re never just coincidences, are they?)
Characters: The characters are also pretty generic. The abused wife. The hunky neighbor. The sweet old lady.
Writing style: Well, I didn’t HATE reading this book.
Audience: This is pretty much straight-up Christian romance/chick lit. If that’s totally your thing, give it a try. If it’s not, don’t bother.
Wrap-up: This book would have been better with fewer coincidences, a less naïve heroine, more subtle spirituality, and a less predictable plot. For starters. 2/5*
April 10, 2011
Plot: I wasn't pulled in right away, but once I got deeper into the book I fell in love with the story and the romantic events that happened throughout. I love romances and this one did not let me down.
Characters: I loved how chivalrous the man was and that he truly cared about her feelings and her fears of commitment. I could also relate to Claire, so it was an overall great read. Another good part was the connections between the characters! So much fun finding out all of theirs past secrets.
Setting: I felt like the Cali coast was the perfect spot for a romance novel.
Overall: This book was so good! I finished it in less than a day. I highly recommend you go pick it up!
Characters: I loved how chivalrous the man was and that he truly cared about her feelings and her fears of commitment. I could also relate to Claire, so it was an overall great read. Another good part was the connections between the characters! So much fun finding out all of theirs past secrets.
Setting: I felt like the Cali coast was the perfect spot for a romance novel.
Overall: This book was so good! I finished it in less than a day. I highly recommend you go pick it up!
February 21, 2013
Well, not at all the fun time I was expecting. Although a good premise, a nice cover and a good enough first couple of pages, it lacks depth. I was not expecting the book to be profound, but at least something a bit more mature in style and dialogue. The female lead is cute, the male lead is ok, but the play in coincidences is too much and too unrealistic, even for a work of fiction. The main characters fall flat, and most of the secondary characters are too good to be true.
But aside from the implausibilities found in the story, it is a sweet and cute romantic story with a few secrets driving the plot and maintaining our interest until the end.
But aside from the implausibilities found in the story, it is a sweet and cute romantic story with a few secrets driving the plot and maintaining our interest until the end.
November 15, 2015
This was a great read for my 8 hour car trip this weekend. I managed to finish the whole thing. I really enjoyed the story which was filled with romance, conflict, suspense and humor and the characters all seemed very real to me.
July 14, 2011
This was a cute book! I Loved it! I would Def recomend it to young readers, 18-25 or so. I am 30 though, and still enjoyed it!
April 16, 2021
This book let me down. The main character, Claire, starts out sympathetic. She's a 23-year-old who has just lost her mother. Her older sister has kind of screwed up her life, and I couldn't help but root for Claire to do better, to be better, to have happy things happen to her. When she makes incredibly stupid choices (like getting into her car with no destination, money or plan to start a new life) I wanted to forgive her and see what happens. When ridiculous coincidences occur (like the only two named people from her old city suddenly showing up attached to the only two named people in her new city), I thought the author was setting me up to believe something kind of unbelievable regarding the letter of Claire's obsession. It seemed really obvious what the letter would reveal, and I thought that was a red herring. I thought I was eventually going to get to the fun twist. Alas, it went exactly where I thought all along... into soap opera-worthy drama that was resolved way too easily.
January 20, 2018
Claire leaves with her mom's VW for a new start in life and to find answers to who wrote a love-letter to her mother years ago. So north she goes and encounters several Christians who help her along the way. She finds the address of the home in the return address and gets an opportunity to live there. Read the book to find how she finds her faith, a family and love.
February 20, 2022
I got this book free on audible. It was a new author to me, and I was interested in the storyline. The narrator was really good. The story was a little too over the top with the Christian love and forgiveness and how everything worked. I was especially disappointed at the end when the author tied everything up so neatly in a "Christian." package. It was not true to life.
January 19, 2023
For being the writers first book, I enjoyed this as an audio book.
It was easy to listen to, enjoyable, and relaxing for me as I listened and worked throughout my day.
Claire and her adventures with Blake were entertaining and heartwarming.
I am hoping there is another book to follow.
It was easy to listen to, enjoyable, and relaxing for me as I listened and worked throughout my day.
Claire and her adventures with Blake were entertaining and heartwarming.
I am hoping there is another book to follow.
April 18, 2024
Unfortunately, for me this novel's narrative contained too many contrived links among the characters. There were no twists & turns, no surprises. Not my kind of story at all.
I'm sure others find it charming but it is not to my taste.
I'm sure others find it charming but it is not to my taste.
July 19, 2017
It was and ok /good book.
December 31, 2017
It was fluff. I'm glad it was free.
February 4, 2021
DNF. Claire’s attitude was really cringey towards people trying to help her. The story seemed unrealistic and everything was handed to her. I would find something else to read.
December 14, 2021
Sweet story
December 16, 2022
Great love story
January 3, 2025
Loved this book!
February 22, 2025
Excellent Read!!
January 2, 2011
My opinion: We first meet Claire, a 23 year old who just lost her mom after a long battle with cancer. She has an older sister, Haley, who is married. When their mom became sick all of the responsibilities of caring for her fell on Claire. Now she has no idea what to do. That is until she finds a letter in the glove compartment of her mom's old VW. The letter is addressed to her mom and the date is 1972; it's a love letter and it's only signed with the initial "M". There's a return address, so Claire decides to set out and try to find the man who loved her mother all of those years ago. She doesn't get very far, however, when she rear-ends a motorhome. Luckily the driver and his wife are very kind and let Claire stay with them for the evening, since her car is no longer driveable. She instantly feels a connection to them and their friends, the Andersons (especially their daughter, Samantha, who is about the same age). As much as she wants to stay with these new friends she has made, she knows she needs to make it to Capitola, where she's hoping the writer of the letter is still living. So she calls for a tow truck in the middle of the night to come pick her up. Unfortunately she has no money to pay for repairs, so the man, Tom, who drives the tow truck decides to let her stay with him and his wife for the night. It's against her better judgement, but Claire feels like she has no other choice so she agrees. Tom's wife Nancy welcomes Claire with open arms, and when they find out her situation they let her know she can stay as long as she wants, until she can get a job and a place of her own. Everything just keeps falling into place: she finds a nice house to rent, makes a lot of new friends, and meets a guy that makes her go weak at the knees. But no matter how great things are going, she can't forget why she really came to Capitola in the first place...to find out who loved her mother so much once upon a time. And she won't stop until she discovers the truth.
I really liked this book a lot. You of course immediately feel bad for Claire; she lost her mother, really the only one, besides her sister, who really cares for Claire. She lives with her sister and her abusive husband for awhile, but when she loses her job he tells her she has to get out. You want her sister to fight harder to let Claire stay, but Claire knows that Haley's husband will just make problems for both of them if she does stay so that's when she ultimately leaves. I think she is incredibly brave for going out on her own, not knowing how she's going to provide for herself or where she will live. Thank goodness for the wonderful people she meets along the way to help her out. I was really happy for her that everything kept working out so well, and the place she ends up renting finally is the return address on the letter! The undercurrent of this book is definitely that everything happens for a reason. I think everyone can relate to that; like me for example, if I had never moved to Kansas I would never have met my husband, would not have my wonderful son. Her neighbor, a police officer named Blake, immediately attracts her attention and they spend a lot of time together. They made such a cute couple, but it took her quite a while to allow herself to believe they could be together. After going through losing her mom, and seeing how the men in her mom's life treated her, it's easy to see why she's so hesitant. Luckily he's very patient and allows her the space she needs to be able to move forward. She gets a job caring for an older woman, Geraldine; Geraldine becomes Claire's roommate in the house and pays the rent, plus gives Claire money every month for helping her which I think is super generous. It helps that the owner of the place is Geraldine's son! I think moving out on her own and searching for this mysterious man helps Claire get through her grief and discover who she is. It was a perfect feel-good story that I just couldn't put down. It's very predictable for the most part, but that didn't even matter to me. It was well written and the ending is great. Everyone should definitely give this book a chance!
My rating: 4/5 stars
I really liked this book a lot. You of course immediately feel bad for Claire; she lost her mother, really the only one, besides her sister, who really cares for Claire. She lives with her sister and her abusive husband for awhile, but when she loses her job he tells her she has to get out. You want her sister to fight harder to let Claire stay, but Claire knows that Haley's husband will just make problems for both of them if she does stay so that's when she ultimately leaves. I think she is incredibly brave for going out on her own, not knowing how she's going to provide for herself or where she will live. Thank goodness for the wonderful people she meets along the way to help her out. I was really happy for her that everything kept working out so well, and the place she ends up renting finally is the return address on the letter! The undercurrent of this book is definitely that everything happens for a reason. I think everyone can relate to that; like me for example, if I had never moved to Kansas I would never have met my husband, would not have my wonderful son. Her neighbor, a police officer named Blake, immediately attracts her attention and they spend a lot of time together. They made such a cute couple, but it took her quite a while to allow herself to believe they could be together. After going through losing her mom, and seeing how the men in her mom's life treated her, it's easy to see why she's so hesitant. Luckily he's very patient and allows her the space she needs to be able to move forward. She gets a job caring for an older woman, Geraldine; Geraldine becomes Claire's roommate in the house and pays the rent, plus gives Claire money every month for helping her which I think is super generous. It helps that the owner of the place is Geraldine's son! I think moving out on her own and searching for this mysterious man helps Claire get through her grief and discover who she is. It was a perfect feel-good story that I just couldn't put down. It's very predictable for the most part, but that didn't even matter to me. It was well written and the ending is great. Everyone should definitely give this book a chance!
My rating: 4/5 stars
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
May 5, 2011
My Review
Claire James is fired from her job after finding a mysterious letter in her mom’s car, written to her mom from an unknown lover many years ago. Claire’s mom lost her battle with cancer a year before, and Claire has been living with her sister and her drunk of a brother-in-law. Since she can no longer pay rent, the brother-in-law kicks her out of the house. This gives Claire a perfect opportunity to pursue finding the unknown author of the letter with the address of Capitola. Her journey takes her into the path of a Christian older couple living out their retirement in a RV traveling. A Christian family at a camping site with a daughter who ends up being a best friend. A truck driver and his wife who were Christians and a Christian police, and finally the mysterious writer of the letter. During that time, she finds a job, strangle taking care of Michael’s spunky mother that lived in the apartment building her mom lived it back home. Plus living with Michael’s mother in the house that just happens to be the address the letter came from. She becomes like a daughter to the truck driver and his wife, and falls for the police officer.
And she meets who she thinks is the letter writer, but he denies it. Whew! She sure has a lot going on!
Will Claire finally find out for sure who the letter writer was? Will she stay in Capitola, even though her sister wants her to move back home? Does she continue to get along with the trucker family Michael’s mom? And what about the Police officer Blake, will he charm his way into her life? I know I don’t like reading reviews that give away enough of the plot to give the good stuff away, so I won’t do that. I though this book was a very enjoyable light read. And as for it being to coincidental as I’ve read in several reviews, well God can and will direct our paths to the exact people we need in our lives at a pacific moment. Our God is a great God, He can do anything, and though it doesn’t seem natural to us for things happening like what happened to Claire, it does happen, and God can make it happen. I feel it shows God’s divine power, and shows just what He can do in the lives of people.
As for the characters, I loved the attitude of the camper couple, and families, the way they took Claire in to help her, even though they didn’t know her. Michael’s mom was spunky independent and adorable, and though Michael started out being kind of a jerk, he did finally come through and acted like a decent person. And then Blake, he was just a sweetheart, and was always there to help anyone, and especially Claire. And of course Michael’s mom adored him too! I recommend this book to anyone who just like a fun, light enjoyable read.
Thank you to Abingdon Press for the generous copy of this book. I was in no obligation to write a positive review. The opinion in this review are mine only.
Claire James is fired from her job after finding a mysterious letter in her mom’s car, written to her mom from an unknown lover many years ago. Claire’s mom lost her battle with cancer a year before, and Claire has been living with her sister and her drunk of a brother-in-law. Since she can no longer pay rent, the brother-in-law kicks her out of the house. This gives Claire a perfect opportunity to pursue finding the unknown author of the letter with the address of Capitola. Her journey takes her into the path of a Christian older couple living out their retirement in a RV traveling. A Christian family at a camping site with a daughter who ends up being a best friend. A truck driver and his wife who were Christians and a Christian police, and finally the mysterious writer of the letter. During that time, she finds a job, strangle taking care of Michael’s spunky mother that lived in the apartment building her mom lived it back home. Plus living with Michael’s mother in the house that just happens to be the address the letter came from. She becomes like a daughter to the truck driver and his wife, and falls for the police officer.
And she meets who she thinks is the letter writer, but he denies it. Whew! She sure has a lot going on!
Will Claire finally find out for sure who the letter writer was? Will she stay in Capitola, even though her sister wants her to move back home? Does she continue to get along with the trucker family Michael’s mom? And what about the Police officer Blake, will he charm his way into her life? I know I don’t like reading reviews that give away enough of the plot to give the good stuff away, so I won’t do that. I though this book was a very enjoyable light read. And as for it being to coincidental as I’ve read in several reviews, well God can and will direct our paths to the exact people we need in our lives at a pacific moment. Our God is a great God, He can do anything, and though it doesn’t seem natural to us for things happening like what happened to Claire, it does happen, and God can make it happen. I feel it shows God’s divine power, and shows just what He can do in the lives of people.
As for the characters, I loved the attitude of the camper couple, and families, the way they took Claire in to help her, even though they didn’t know her. Michael’s mom was spunky independent and adorable, and though Michael started out being kind of a jerk, he did finally come through and acted like a decent person. And then Blake, he was just a sweetheart, and was always there to help anyone, and especially Claire. And of course Michael’s mom adored him too! I recommend this book to anyone who just like a fun, light enjoyable read.
Thank you to Abingdon Press for the generous copy of this book. I was in no obligation to write a positive review. The opinion in this review are mine only.
January 18, 2013
I had a couple of problems with this book. First, while the story was sweet I feel it fell flat in the execution. The writing was very dry at points and some of the metaphors that were used made no sense to me. One that stuck out was when it said the seventy-plus degree weather slapped Claire in the face. Pretty much everyone I know would call that kind of weather beautiful, nice or pleasant. Something that's beautiful, nice or pleasant isn't going to slap you in the face.
My other problem with this book is the same problem I have with a lot of Christian fiction. It does not feel relevant. While I am all for a sweet, light-hearted love story to me there were two stories in this book I would have enjoyed more to see told. The story of Claire's mother Emily -- how her faith grew and stayed strong even when she was a single mother struggling paycheck to paycheck and fighting a cancer that refused to loosen its grip -- and Haley -- living with an alcoholic, abusive man and struggling over the decision to stay or go and what is best for her and her child. These are stories that are relevant and gritty and real to a hurting world. These are stories that can give hope to Christian women who are in similar situations. Too often Christian fiction takes the easy way and says "Believe in God and all your problems will disappear." However this is not real. This is not even what God says. You know the song that says sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He calms the man. There are strong Christians who fight against cancer and lose the battle here on earth; they don't receive the healing they believe in until they are in God's arms in heaven. There are Christian women with strong faith who are married to men who are abusive. Sometimes these are even men who go to church every Sunday, profess a faith in God and then go home to abuse their wives in every way imaginable -- emotionally, financially, physically and sexually. These are women who often feel so alone because to the outside world their husbands look like saints so these women can come to believe they do deserve their treatment or they reach out for help only to have no one believe them. These are the harder stories to tell but these are the stories Christian writers need to tell to meet people struggling with these problems where they are. That's what Jesus did and continues to do today -- meet people where they are; offer them hope for their very real hurts, show them that even if the storm isn't calmed He will calm them and give them the strength they need.
My other problem with this book is the same problem I have with a lot of Christian fiction. It does not feel relevant. While I am all for a sweet, light-hearted love story to me there were two stories in this book I would have enjoyed more to see told. The story of Claire's mother Emily -- how her faith grew and stayed strong even when she was a single mother struggling paycheck to paycheck and fighting a cancer that refused to loosen its grip -- and Haley -- living with an alcoholic, abusive man and struggling over the decision to stay or go and what is best for her and her child. These are stories that are relevant and gritty and real to a hurting world. These are stories that can give hope to Christian women who are in similar situations. Too often Christian fiction takes the easy way and says "Believe in God and all your problems will disappear." However this is not real. This is not even what God says. You know the song that says sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes He calms the man. There are strong Christians who fight against cancer and lose the battle here on earth; they don't receive the healing they believe in until they are in God's arms in heaven. There are Christian women with strong faith who are married to men who are abusive. Sometimes these are even men who go to church every Sunday, profess a faith in God and then go home to abuse their wives in every way imaginable -- emotionally, financially, physically and sexually. These are women who often feel so alone because to the outside world their husbands look like saints so these women can come to believe they do deserve their treatment or they reach out for help only to have no one believe them. These are the harder stories to tell but these are the stories Christian writers need to tell to meet people struggling with these problems where they are. That's what Jesus did and continues to do today -- meet people where they are; offer them hope for their very real hurts, show them that even if the storm isn't calmed He will calm them and give them the strength they need.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews