Blind voor de liefde

Teaville Moral Society #3.5

by Melissa Jagears, Daniëlle Heerens (vertaler)

Neil Oliver is een man van weinig woorden en veel bezit. Wanneer hij te horen krijgt dat zijn afnemende gezichtsvermogen tot blindheid kan leiden, weet hij dat hij iemand nodig heeft aan wie hij zichzelf en zijn zaken kan toevertrouwen.

Helen Barker heeft twintig jaar al haar tijd gestopt in het opvoeden van de kinderen van haar zus. Nu de jongste het nest verlaten heeft, heeft ze weinig meer omhanden dan lezen en naaien met als enig lichtpuntje in haar bestaan de diepgaande gesprekken met Neil over de Bijbel of de preek. Als hij haar vraagt een verstandshuwelijk met hem aan te gaan, grijpt ze de kans om haar bestaan als oude vrijster achter zich te laten met beide handen aan, ondanks Neils teruggetrokken levensstijl.

Zullen beiden hun oude, vertrouwde gewoonten opzij kunnen zetten om erachter te komen hoe ze elkaar kunnen liefhebben als het delen van woorden en gevoelens niet zo vanzelfsprekend is?

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Novella, Christian Fiction, Historical, Christian, Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

I would love to connect with you through newsletter! I only send big updates, releases, and important stuff: http://newsletters.melissajagears.com/

My Review Star System:

A rare solid 5 means I LOVED it or was so impressed that I bring these books up in random conversations.

4.5-4 means great story. Recommended.

I don't post 3 star or below for newer Christian fiction (conflict of interest--I might have to work with the author). But any 3s mean the author wrote a good story, just something about it made it not a favorite.

2 was not that great and never redeemed itself.

1 aggravated me so much or was so poorly done I DNF or if I did finish, I wished I could get my time back.

Reviews

[Heidi Chiavaroli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet historical romance novella from one of my favorite authors in this genre. Loved Marianne's tenacity and determination, and the twist of the heroine going all out for the hero.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Melissa's stories! Marianne was mentioned several times in A Love So True and she and Calvin appeared briefly near the end, which made me so excited to read their story! I loved them both as characters and I totally fell for Calvin from the moment he "coughed" (you'll have to read the book to see what I'm talking about!) This story was SO good, I loved every minute of it so much! It has definitely become a new favorite and is one that I will most certainly be rereading in the future! This story warmed my heart and put the biggest smile on my face

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa Jagears is an author I'm familiar with, so my expectations of a sweet romance and somewhat unusual characters were entirely met in this story. This one has the unique element of being a story that is set in tandem with A Love So True, the second full book in the Teaville Moral Society series, which was fun. It's not so in tandem that things feel repeated, it's just a neat way to do a novella of peripheral characters in the full book. Marianne as a character is also unique in that, despite being born to privilege, she is more than willing to show Calvin that she can work hard - so willing, in fact that she takes a job considered below her station. I'm not sure how long she could have gotten away with it in real life, but it made for an interesting element of the plot. It also served as a way to highlight the idea that it's good to be aware of the daily lives of others, even if much different than yours, and if it's within your power to help, however small, it can still have a big impact.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story. I had to admire Marianne's determination and the scars in Calvin's past about broke my heart. Very sweet and romantic ending. That was my favorite part of the story.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence:
Kansas City, Missouri
September 1908
The pounding of hammers above them ceased.

Premise/plot: Marianne Lister loves, loves, LOVES Calvin Hochstetler. He knows it too. But Calvin is insistent that he's not the one for her. You see, she's RICH and he's POOR. They come from two different classes, two different worlds. Though she may love him now, will she love him a year from now? Surely it's just a matter of time before she misses money and all the things money can buy. So it's best they go their separate ways, right?! How far will Marianne go to prove that he's the one?! Will Calvin ever be convinced that her love is for real and forever?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I felt the characters were genuine. I did feel like yelling at Calvin a time or two. But that's not unusual for me to get involved in a story.

The Hearts Entwined Collection ended strong.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to Kansas City, Missouri and the delightful characters of Teaville. The expectations her family has set are thwarted when wealthy socialite Marianne Lister falls for the unlikely business assistant, Calvin Hochstetler. But will Marianne be able to prove to Calvin that he’s not just a passing fancy and that he is worthy of love?
This charming story is sure to warm you heart and remind you that no matter what station in life we occupy, we all have something to give each other. Don't miss out on this wonderful story from Melissa Jagears!

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tied and True – A Teaville Moral Society Novella by Melissa Jagears
SWEET STORY OF TRUST
September 1908
While David Kingsman travels to Teaville in book 2, this charming story takes place back home in Kansas City, MO. Marianne Lister is David’s childhood friend and his perfect future mate. That is according to his father and her parents as well. However, Marianne has been drawn to Calvin Hochstetler; the kindest, most hardworking man who makes her laugh and feel special. She believes making tea and playing hostess to high society types is the only thing she is good at. But helping him with his Widows and Orphans ministry gives her purpose, albeit she is still making tea.
Calvin finds Marianne to be bright, charming and lovely. AND certainly out of his league. He does everything he can to convince her to wait for David since a life with him would be one of struggle. In turn, she devises new ways to convince him she is up for the challenge a life with him might offer, and more than willing to leave comfort and class behind.
This story takes a peek at the life of female factory workers, including children and the hardships they faced. It also reminds us to find value in ourselves and trust the plan God has for us.
Ch. 1 The pounding of hammers above them ceased. Marianne Lister put down her tea and smiled at the widow whose roof was being reshingled by men from their church.
“We’ve got your roof finished, Mrs. Danby. And none too soon…”
She waved her age-spotted hand to encourage him across the threshold. “Why don’t you come in more for tea?”
Marianne picked up the nearly empty teapot. At least making tea was something she was good at. Even if this would be the fifth pot of tea Mrs. Danby plied on the men.
This novella available for individual download on May 1, 2018
or
Hearts Entwined – A Historical Romance 4 Novella Collection © Jan. 2018 Bethany House
Thanks to author, Melissa Jagears, I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publ. My opinion is my own

[Linda R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marianne Lister lives a privileged life, wanting for nothing and being waited on by servants. Calvin Hochstetler works at a local business, living in a basement apartment. Both attend the same church and work on charity projects together for the community.

Calvin and Marianne have developed feelings for each other, but he refuses to pursue them. Growing up, Calvin's mother left when things got tough for their family and he is afraid Marianne would do the same if they should fall on hard times. Unable to convince Calvin their love will survive anything, Marianne takes a job at the factory to show him she can live without her family's wealth.

This novella, one of the stories in the Hearts Entwined book, is part of the Teaville Moral Society series by Melissa Jagears. The story was okay. The sacrifices Marianne made to try to show Calvin that love is more important than money were inspiring, but the length of time she had to spend doing so went on too long.

I won a copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was adorable!! Marianne is SO CRAZY IN LOVE with Calvin! He knows it ~ Everyone knows it! But he insist that because they come from completely separate social classes that there is just no way she could be happy with him. Especially if her parents disown her and his boss fires him (since she's supposed to be engaged to his boss's son)! Tenacious, she sets out to prove she can be happy living and working in poverty and she gets a job at the cotton factory across the street from Calvin's office building! Despite this being a novella, it was packed with character! Marianne's generous heart reaches out to the factory workers especially the family of five sisters who are starving! I love how she insists on working hard, living poor, and figuring out how to make ends meet with her tiny paycheck and still share her groceries generously with others around her! This story follows the same timeline as book two in the Teaville Moral Society series with the two stories combining at the end of the other book.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth and final novella was the incredible Melissa Jagears' fourth story in her "Teaville Moral Society" series.

Melissa has recently become an adored author of mine. This story only elated my opinion of her stories.

This love story was all cute and sweetness.

I admire Marianne so much! She did not care about wealth or what other people thought, she just wanted to serve God's kingdom and make one particular man fall in love with her.
It didn't help that the man was ridiculously hard-headed about it...good thing she was just as stubborn. 😉

Calvin was a wonderful gentleman who had a lot of past hurts, which manifested in a distrust for true love.
But through patience, persistence, and a couple cotton knots true love won in the end.

This was such a sweet read, and I enjoyed it immensely and I rated it a 4/5 stars.

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely story about the meaning of true love. Not just a flighty little attraction, but a love that withstands time and hardships and rejection.
Marianne is in love with Calvin and she just KNOWS that he's in love with her. The problem is, he's been hurt in the past and is afraid that her love will be unable to withstand the hard times. Determined to prove him wrong, Marianne sets about to prove her faithfulness.
Author Melissa Jagears has created a beautiful story that is filled with a sweet love that flows warmly through you and reminds you that love isn't always two-sided and sometimes you have to work hard with nothing but the HOPE of a return on it.
Bravo, Ms. Jagears! I will be looking forward to getting my hands on the rest of this series!

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tied and True" by Melissa Jagears, shows the struggle of love between two young people who come from very different backgrounds. With her parents adamantly against a relationship with a man who isn't in their social circle, Marianne, doesn't want to give up on her true love. He loves her, but pushes her away because he feels she could never be happy if she had to live life as a working class woman. Marianne, decided to see for herself and to prove to Calvin, that she could, infact, live happily as his working class wife. As the story unfolds, we see just what it takes to make true love happen, or does Marianne find that the work is too hard and she just can't live like that no matter how much she loves Connor? A touching story.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can’t help but fall in love with this series. This novella tells the story of Calvin and Marianne. Calvin is David Kingsman’s secretary. We met Calvin and Marianne in an earlier book. David’s rich parents are pushing him to marry Marianne. Her rich parents are doing the same. But Marianne loves Calvin. David knows this and thinks of Marianne as a dear friend. Calvin loves Marianne but refuses to act on his feelings because he isn’t from the same class. Some things also happened in his family as he was growing up. He can’t allow that to happen again. Cannot wait for the next book (if there is one)!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

These main characters come from very different backgrounds and social situations. Even though it was hard to watch Calvin push away the woman he loved, I knew that he felt it was for her own good. I was impressed with Marianne’s kindness, goodness, determination, and work ethic. The chemistry was great between these two. The fact that a marriage between them seemed as if it would be next to impossible made the happily ever after even sweeter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good short read. Even though it's a 3.5 book it falls nicely between book 2 and 3. This tells the story of Marianne and Calvin. Marianne was fated to be married to David but when she met his secretary Calvin things changed. Not including David was madly in love with someone else. Calvin is a bit leery of Marianne's loves because she comes from high society and he doesn't want her to struggle if she marries him. What follows is a sweet story of love, hope, and overcoming obstacles. I can't wait to read what's next.

[Jennifer Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella! Marianne is determined to prove to Calvin that she can live without the privileges she's grown used to. I loved seeing Marianne become aware of the needs around her and how compassionate she is. I also loved seeing how tenacious she is. Calvin is sweet, but he definitely underestimates Marianne! I could understand his hesitations, though. They have a lot of hurdles in their way. It was really nice to meet up with these characters again after reading David and Evelyn's story, and Melissa Jagears did a great job keeping it from being redundant.

[Julie Jobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella that's a part of Ms. Jagears' Teaville Moral Society Series that gives a little more insight to Marianne Lister, the young woman who David was expected to marry in A Love So True. It adds so much to get to know her and see her heart. I loved her determination to prove to Calvin that she was all the way in with him and her willingness to experience what so many in her position would never even attempt to do. Once again, Ms. Jagears gives a set of imperfect, but lovable characters that draws the reader in to experience their stories with them.

[ضحى الحداد · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally don't approve of that trope .. you know .. the ( I will leave you because it's the best for you ) trope
if a woman says see knows what she's doing chances are that she ACTUALLY knows what she's doing so quit fussing about it !!
I didn't like how Calvin treated Marianne, she is really a gem and he mistreated her and she was so determined to win him .. the ending was nice but didn't enjoy the story overall

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella was okay. I thought that Marianne was annoyingly persistent in rejecting her rejection. Also, I would have liked to have seen her parents react to her choices or have a change of heart or something rather than just being ok with it all. Kisses only

[Kelsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best novellas from this genre I've read. The storyline is unique, and Jagears avoids several cliche pitfalls in the process. This is a sweet story about true devotion, lasting love, and finding the real treasures in life.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has always baffled me that people would marry someone because of social standing. If you don't love someone don't marry them! I got teary eyed when I read the epilogue and saw that Marianne's family came around (not that they had a choice) but still.

[Mehsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tja.. OK op punten maar verder niet heel spannend. Zou leuk zijn als mensen eens praten over hun gevoelens. Wel leuk om over de levens te lezen van de mensen en ook hoe progressief Neil was op punten.

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Novella. It was great to read about the character that was introduced in A Love so True. The characters were well written and I felt like I was in their shoes.

[Jenn Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet but with a powerful message.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella is a side story and barely relates to the others in the series.

[Margaret Chind]

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a ton of fun, I kind of wish it had been full length (or hope there is a book on the sisters at some point). It was one of if not my favorite of the series. I think it should be 2.5 in the series though not 3.5.

[Goldenrod · Rating 2 out of 5]

The persistent "I'm not worth it" barrier to marriage doesn't do it for me.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet novella of looking past one’s position in society to who the person is on the inside.

[Lisa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet! Apparently takes place at the same time as book #3 in the series!