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My Dearest Love
1978: by Emilie Baker Loring- A charming novel.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
99 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Emilie Loring
64 books130 followersAKA Emilie Baker Loring
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 8, 2008
The first Emily Loring I read,oh, 45 years ago :-) Still remember it warmly.
October 23, 2007
This is a mystery as well as romance, but not the "out there" impossible romantic fantasy. It's a "down to earth" romance and very good!!!
January 21, 2011
This book deserves... well... like infinity stars? Or more? Because it is incredible! The plot is surprising, there is a murder involved, and it was a great mystery and romance story rolled into one.
June 16, 2025
Just one of my oldie-favorites, from one of my favorite oldie-authors. :)
December 2, 2015
I thought this book was really really good. It was different from Emilie Loring's other books and it was really interesting. Definitely a worth while book.
August 13, 2019
An Emilie Loring short story that a not-very-skilled ghost writer expanded into a full-length novel after her death. Short on plot, the story limps along, saddled with word-count-padding recaps and stilted, info-dump dialogue: "You know how Mother is—you were here at the time. She took Beth to her heart with a cordial friendliness and sympathy that made the child's thin little face luminous with happiness." Yikes.
The basic plot is one that Emilie herself expanded into a full-length novel, far more successfully, with The Solitary Horseman. Despite the many similarities, the two books could not be more of a contrast. In The Solitary Horseman, Rose Grahame is a young woman, just back from a post-grad trip to Europe, who is determined to make her guardian realize she's grown up. In the course of the plot she insists on working in the family business, and when no man in the town will step forward to run for selectman against the villain of the story, Rose puts herself forward as a candidate and campaigns energetically. In My Dearest Love Beth Gilbert is a young woman, just back from a post-grad trip to Europe, who wants her guardian to realize she's grown up. In the course of the plot, she does....um, nothing. We're told she's lovely to look at and everyone likes her, but unlike real Emilie heroines who plunge neck-deep into whatever intrigue is afoot, Beth is entirely reactive. And entirely boring.
The basic plot is one that Emilie herself expanded into a full-length novel, far more successfully, with The Solitary Horseman. Despite the many similarities, the two books could not be more of a contrast. In The Solitary Horseman, Rose Grahame is a young woman, just back from a post-grad trip to Europe, who is determined to make her guardian realize she's grown up. In the course of the plot she insists on working in the family business, and when no man in the town will step forward to run for selectman against the villain of the story, Rose puts herself forward as a candidate and campaigns energetically. In My Dearest Love Beth Gilbert is a young woman, just back from a post-grad trip to Europe, who wants her guardian to realize she's grown up. In the course of the plot, she does....um, nothing. We're told she's lovely to look at and everyone likes her, but unlike real Emilie heroines who plunge neck-deep into whatever intrigue is afoot, Beth is entirely reactive. And entirely boring.
October 26, 2022
A well told story of mystery and romance from a bygone era
My late wife was a granddaughter of Emilie Loring. (No I’m not Martha, we share the Amazon account.) I knew of, but never read any of her many many books, until now.
Although this is not my typical genre, I thoroughly enjoyed it! And I’m sorry I never read her stories before now. I felt like I was being brought back to the era of my parents and grandparents, fully engrossed in the characters. I got to feel like they felt, understand like they understood and be surrounded with the intrigue, mystery, deception and fun of the time, almost like I was there at that time and place myself. The story and times were more “gentile” than nowadays, but the characters feel like they could be right here, right now. It is a beautifully written story!
I will be reading more, including some of the original hardcover books that I and my family still have.
My late wife was a granddaughter of Emilie Loring. (No I’m not Martha, we share the Amazon account.) I knew of, but never read any of her many many books, until now.
Although this is not my typical genre, I thoroughly enjoyed it! And I’m sorry I never read her stories before now. I felt like I was being brought back to the era of my parents and grandparents, fully engrossed in the characters. I got to feel like they felt, understand like they understood and be surrounded with the intrigue, mystery, deception and fun of the time, almost like I was there at that time and place myself. The story and times were more “gentile” than nowadays, but the characters feel like they could be right here, right now. It is a beautifully written story!
I will be reading more, including some of the original hardcover books that I and my family still have.
July 6, 2018
I started reading Emile Loring books when I picked up a paperback from a rack in a hotel lobby (for 50 cents) while on my sister's & my yearly vacation to visit my father. Hooked! I went on to purchase and read every Emilie Loring romance written and available in paperback, not knowing that she had died before I was even born. I loved these books, but read them when I was between about 12 and 18 years old. I was a young reader - do keep that in mind! :-)
February 13, 2022
Like Catching Up With An Old Friend
I adore the Emilie Loring Books. I read them again and again for years! At one time, I had every one she had written in paperback. About 50 I think. It was written in a time gone by. It was a time of innocence, honor, family, patriotism and true love. I was so excited to reread this one. Thank you!
I adore the Emilie Loring Books. I read them again and again for years! At one time, I had every one she had written in paperback. About 50 I think. It was written in a time gone by. It was a time of innocence, honor, family, patriotism and true love. I was so excited to reread this one. Thank you!
March 10, 2019
A mystery from my favorite Author
I love this book. Emilie Loring has glamor, mystery, suspense and romance tied up in her book. Definitely choose to read this book which is set in the early years of the invention of plastics.
I love this book. Emilie Loring has glamor, mystery, suspense and romance tied up in her book. Definitely choose to read this book which is set in the early years of the invention of plastics.
February 24, 2022
Beth is now beautiful young girl starting her life.
The Bradford family added Beth to the family way her father's request so he could spend all his time on his invention . as she become a woman she learns of thing in her family that happened. The mystery begins goodread.
The Bradford family added Beth to the family way her father's request so he could spend all his time on his invention . as she become a woman she learns of thing in her family that happened. The mystery begins goodread.
March 24, 2022
A bit overrated
I tried so hard to get into this book and enjoy the characters. There was very little character development and the story just didnt hold my interest. I am not so certain as what time period I was resding.
I tried so hard to get into this book and enjoy the characters. There was very little character development and the story just didnt hold my interest. I am not so certain as what time period I was resding.
July 4, 2017
gelezen in het Nederlands: Mijn grote liefde.
July 24, 2019
One of my favorites
August 7, 2024
Maybe this deserves a 2 star review? I don't remember liking this one as much as some others of Loring's books.
June 9, 2025
It feels like this is one of the earlier ones since it's not as polished and a little more dramatic. Still, it fulfills the expectations I have for an Emilie Loring: contrast between high and low character, strong men and women who won't admit their feelings, sneaky romance, danger, and the importance of good reputation and genuine care for others.
May 18, 2023
An old romantic favorite...a great story, vivid descriptions of the setting and surroundings, a murder mystery...simply delightful.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews