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Rightfully Ours
Sixteen-year-old Paul Porter’s relocation to Pennsylvania is a temporary move during his dad’s deployment. Or so he and his brother think, until devastating news lands on their doorstep. Paul’s new home with the Muellers provides solace, especially in the form of Rachel, his friend and confidante. Their abiding friendship deepens as they work side by side to uncover what could be lost treasure. Will they acquire the strength of character and virtue to take only what rightfully belongs to them or are they in way over their heads, with more than a few lost artifacts at stake? Themes include premarital chastity and overcoming temptation. “When a young man or woman recognizes that authentic love is a precious treasure, they are also enabled to live their sexuality in accordance with the divine plan, rejecting the false models which are, unfortunately, all too frequently publicized and very widespread.” Letter of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Young People of Rome, Sept 8, 1997
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
25 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Astfalk
19 books266 followersFollow me on Bookbub!
https://bit.ly/BookbubCarolynAstfalk
Carolyn Astfalk resides with her husband and four children in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where it smells like either chocolate or manure, depending on wind direction.
She is the author of the Contemporary Christian romances Stay With Me, Come Back to Me, Ornamental Graces, and All in Good Time, and the coming-of-age story Rightfully Ours.
Carolyn is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, Catholic Teen Books, Pennwriters, and is a CatholicMom.com contributor.
True to her Pittsburgh roots, she still says “pop” instead of “soda,” although her beverage of choice is tea.
https://bit.ly/BookbubCarolynAstfalk
Carolyn Astfalk resides with her husband and four children in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where it smells like either chocolate or manure, depending on wind direction.
She is the author of the Contemporary Christian romances Stay With Me, Come Back to Me, Ornamental Graces, and All in Good Time, and the coming-of-age story Rightfully Ours.
Carolyn is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild, Catholic Teen Books, Pennwriters, and is a CatholicMom.com contributor.
True to her Pittsburgh roots, she still says “pop” instead of “soda,” although her beverage of choice is tea.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 15, 2018
If you're looking for a coming of age story for an older teen that shares the value of remaining chaste, this one is for you. The story introduces 16-year-old Paul and 14-year-old Rachel who are brought together through Paul's older brother, Sean's job. Over the next few years, the teens become attracted to each other and must deal with their physical feelings, growing love for each other, moments of weakness, and temptations. In a culture that promotes sex and completely disregards the fact that sex is reserved for married couples, this story reminds readers of the truth that sex is a gift from God. While I feel that this story is appropriate for older teens, I do feel that it is best suited for those who may already be in relationships and need reminders of why chastity is important. I would not advise the story for younger teens or those showing no interest in relationships or dating. While there are no graphic scenes, there are moments of temptation in which the teens are tempted and scenes, in my opinion, get steamy. Overall, the author relays the story beautifully, there's a little mystery hidden in it, and the chastity message is a much needed one in our current, overly sexual environment.
May 23, 2017
Rightfully Ours is a novel for older teens about the importance and beauty of chastity. This is the first book I've read by Carolyn Astfalk and thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. She is an accomplished Catholic romance writer and has brought her skills to the YA market. This book is full of relatable characters, touching family traumas, teenage passions, and an intriguing mystery. While an enjoyable story, this book deals with an important subject matter that teens face in our society- purity. I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 17, 2022
Great coming of age story
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a very sweet story, but it wasn't cheesy. It is the kind of book teenager's should read before they start dating.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a very sweet story, but it wasn't cheesy. It is the kind of book teenager's should read before they start dating.
April 1, 2017
Well-written and enjoyable, this story takes an honest look at the physical, spiritual, and emotional aspects of teens in a serious relationship. As Paul’s and Rachel’s feelings for each other grow, they confront new emotions and urges that they don’t always know how to deal with. Like every child raised Christian, they know what they are “supposed” to do but in some moments, they don’t understand “why.” Sometimes they are confused and make poor choices, but through all the temptations, challenges, and even failures, they both develop an understanding of the value of chastity. By the end of the story, they have a clear, solid, and mature grasp of its worth.
Rightfully Ours provides a thoughtful analysis of intimacy from a teen’s point of view, making it a great book especially for teens who struggle with sexual temptation and for parents who want a deeper consideration of the trials teens in love face.
While all the characters are realistic, Paul was my favorite. Rachel is fourteen when the story begins, and Paul is sixteen. He lost his mother as a child and has a father in the military. The story line surrounding this aspect had me considering what it must be like for the children of military men and women on active duty, and for those that have lost one or both parents. I found myself understanding more deeply and truly appreciating the sacrifice our service men and women make for our country.
I enjoyed watching Paul and Rachel’s friendship develop. At times, they misunderstand each other and jump to conclusions or wistfully wonder if the other feels the same way. They support each other and grow together while facing challenges and while embarking upon a “treasure hunt” in the flower garden. It all felt so real.
Mostly, I like the message of developing a strong conviction about waiting for marriage, rather than allowing oneself the temporary thrill of partaking in something that isn’t “rightfully ours.” I also like how the story tackles the real temptations and challenges a teen in a relationship could face, the behaviors that increase the trials, and those that safeguard from falling.
This story has so much to offer.
Rightfully Ours provides a thoughtful analysis of intimacy from a teen’s point of view, making it a great book especially for teens who struggle with sexual temptation and for parents who want a deeper consideration of the trials teens in love face.
While all the characters are realistic, Paul was my favorite. Rachel is fourteen when the story begins, and Paul is sixteen. He lost his mother as a child and has a father in the military. The story line surrounding this aspect had me considering what it must be like for the children of military men and women on active duty, and for those that have lost one or both parents. I found myself understanding more deeply and truly appreciating the sacrifice our service men and women make for our country.
I enjoyed watching Paul and Rachel’s friendship develop. At times, they misunderstand each other and jump to conclusions or wistfully wonder if the other feels the same way. They support each other and grow together while facing challenges and while embarking upon a “treasure hunt” in the flower garden. It all felt so real.
Mostly, I like the message of developing a strong conviction about waiting for marriage, rather than allowing oneself the temporary thrill of partaking in something that isn’t “rightfully ours.” I also like how the story tackles the real temptations and challenges a teen in a relationship could face, the behaviors that increase the trials, and those that safeguard from falling.
This story has so much to offer.
March 30, 2017
When Carolyn Astfalk unearths a newspaper clipping about a treasure hunter who struck gold, she turns it into a young adult romance novel. That took some doing, but as Edison said, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” A keen observer, Astfalk soaks her written pages with reality. Rightfully Ours, like her other romance novels appeals to the senses, especially those associated with food. You can smell the baking cookies and feel the bite of a January freeze. Her understanding of human emotions transports her readers into the minds of her characters as they experience blessings in the guise of disasters and conflicts. The reader cannot take for granted that a happy ending awaits in the last paragraph.
March 19, 2017
In this refreshing YA romance, readers have the chance to get into the head of the romantic hero. Paul lives in the Muellers' guesthouse during his father's deployment. He and Rachel, his landlords' daughter, find their friendship turning into something deeper; while they struggle against temptation and Rachel's dad's opposition to their relationship, they discover historic artifacts buried beneath Rachel's flower garden. I found Paul to be a more likable character than Rachel, perhaps because she is a few years younger than he and a little more immature.
(Review based on publisher's ARC)
(Review based on publisher's ARC)
August 21, 2021
This is a wonderful, realistic story for older teens showing the importance of family and teens remaining pure before marriage. The characters are so real and so human, they are worthy of your time in reading this novel. Recommended for ages 15 and up.
July 6, 2017
I received this book as a part of a Goodreads giveaway. I liked the idea of a lost treasure, teenagers finding artifacts on a property, the general concept behind the book, or rather what the blurb made it appear was the general concept of the book. Unfortunately, the blurb concept seemed to be just about the only thing I liked.
The initial premise, how the two main characters met, was highly implausible, taking me from, "I could maybe suspend disbelief for a little while," to "There is no way that this would ever happen," in about three pages or less. Big brother works for a fracking company. Father is in the military. Big brother's going to loose his job if he doesn't find a place to stash his brother. Brother gets taken in by the family who own the land that the fracking company is working on...because the fracking company foreman suggests it. There's more to it than that, but just in case you actually still want to check out the book, I'm trying to avoid spoilers. In spite of this glaring issue with the plot, I still tried to keep going. But, on top of the unrealistic situation that causes the characters to meet, the characters themselves were shallow. There was no depth. They were very one dimensional, stereotypical teenagers written by someone who has not been around teenagers in a very long time, if the descriptions are anything to go off of. As if that was not enough to put the book down and walk away, then it lead into the religious overtones that appeared almost forced on the story. I don't mind religion in books. I mind religion being shoved where it isn't needed, and that's definitely what this felt like. It added nothing to the story. If anything, it subtracted from the already lacking story. It was at this point that I was done. There may be some out there who like the book, or there may simply be people giving this positive reviews because they received the book for free. As y'all know, however, I only do honest reviews. Honestly, this isn't one that I will be keeping. Even at "free" it wasn't worth it to me.
The initial premise, how the two main characters met, was highly implausible, taking me from, "I could maybe suspend disbelief for a little while," to "There is no way that this would ever happen," in about three pages or less. Big brother works for a fracking company. Father is in the military. Big brother's going to loose his job if he doesn't find a place to stash his brother. Brother gets taken in by the family who own the land that the fracking company is working on...because the fracking company foreman suggests it. There's more to it than that, but just in case you actually still want to check out the book, I'm trying to avoid spoilers. In spite of this glaring issue with the plot, I still tried to keep going. But, on top of the unrealistic situation that causes the characters to meet, the characters themselves were shallow. There was no depth. They were very one dimensional, stereotypical teenagers written by someone who has not been around teenagers in a very long time, if the descriptions are anything to go off of. As if that was not enough to put the book down and walk away, then it lead into the religious overtones that appeared almost forced on the story. I don't mind religion in books. I mind religion being shoved where it isn't needed, and that's definitely what this felt like. It added nothing to the story. If anything, it subtracted from the already lacking story. It was at this point that I was done. There may be some out there who like the book, or there may simply be people giving this positive reviews because they received the book for free. As y'all know, however, I only do honest reviews. Honestly, this isn't one that I will be keeping. Even at "free" it wasn't worth it to me.
May 10, 2018
Carolyn Astfalk's name is one I have come across many times over the last few years. Catholic authors I respect, and other Christian book reviews have raved about her books. I had actually purchased all three of her books but had not got around to reading any of them yet. I have almost 400 books in my to be read list on Kindle, and another 200 on Play books. So occasionally I lose sight of books I want to read. But I just finished an anthology that is coming out later this year called 'Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories' from authors at Catholic Teen Books. Even before I had finished Astfalk's contribution 'Behind The Wheel', I had bumped this book to the top of my Kindle list so that it would be read next. The short story was excellent, and this novel is amazing!
This book took me completely by surprise. I had bought it because of a recommendation from an author; but had not even read the description. I started reading it because of how much I loved the short story that has two of the characters. Paul is living in the guest house (Granny flat) at the Mueller's. He is 16 and has had to move to Pennsylvania because his single parent, his father has been deployed overseas again. His older brother Sean is working for a Gas company, but the company will not allow Paul to stay with him. Rachel is the Muellers oldest child and is 14, her and Paul will attend the same school. Paul's mother died when he was young. And his father dies during this story. He has two male influences on his life, his older brother and Mr. Mueller.
This story focuses a lot on relationships. Rachel and her younger brother James. Rachel with her parents. Rachel and Paul's growing friendship and eventually romance. Paul's relationship with his brother. And many more. It is also the story about premarital abstinence, chastity, and overcoming temptation. It teaches lessons about respecting each other in relationships. It also teaches about the value and purpose of work. Weather that work is Paul's in an orchard as a summer job, or Rachel building her own garden and roadside stand to sell the fresh cut flowers. Oh, and some buried treasure.
This book is the 5th I have read from Full Quiver Publishing. It is a publisher dedicated to books with a Theology of the Body focus. All the books I have read from this publisher are great reads. They are clean and uplifting. I appreciate the publisher's goals and their books are excellent.
This was the first novel I have read by Astfalk. It is an excellent read. I cannot wait for my children to be a little order to share this book with them. I believe it will help teach my daughters and son's valuable lessons. The characters are incredibly well written. The story was fascinating and it was very hard to put the book down. In fact, I gave up both my breaks and ate lunch at my desk, so I could keep reading it. When you consider that this is only the authors third novel it is even that much more impressive. I recommend this book and know it ill not be long before I dip into another tale from the pen of Astfalk.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
This book took me completely by surprise. I had bought it because of a recommendation from an author; but had not even read the description. I started reading it because of how much I loved the short story that has two of the characters. Paul is living in the guest house (Granny flat) at the Mueller's. He is 16 and has had to move to Pennsylvania because his single parent, his father has been deployed overseas again. His older brother Sean is working for a Gas company, but the company will not allow Paul to stay with him. Rachel is the Muellers oldest child and is 14, her and Paul will attend the same school. Paul's mother died when he was young. And his father dies during this story. He has two male influences on his life, his older brother and Mr. Mueller.
This story focuses a lot on relationships. Rachel and her younger brother James. Rachel with her parents. Rachel and Paul's growing friendship and eventually romance. Paul's relationship with his brother. And many more. It is also the story about premarital abstinence, chastity, and overcoming temptation. It teaches lessons about respecting each other in relationships. It also teaches about the value and purpose of work. Weather that work is Paul's in an orchard as a summer job, or Rachel building her own garden and roadside stand to sell the fresh cut flowers. Oh, and some buried treasure.
This book is the 5th I have read from Full Quiver Publishing. It is a publisher dedicated to books with a Theology of the Body focus. All the books I have read from this publisher are great reads. They are clean and uplifting. I appreciate the publisher's goals and their books are excellent.
This was the first novel I have read by Astfalk. It is an excellent read. I cannot wait for my children to be a little order to share this book with them. I believe it will help teach my daughters and son's valuable lessons. The characters are incredibly well written. The story was fascinating and it was very hard to put the book down. In fact, I gave up both my breaks and ate lunch at my desk, so I could keep reading it. When you consider that this is only the authors third novel it is even that much more impressive. I recommend this book and know it ill not be long before I dip into another tale from the pen of Astfalk.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
May 30, 2017
I won a copy Rightfully Ours, by Carolyn Astfalk from a Facebook giveaway. I began reading it on Saturday morning and finished it on Monday afternoon. I found myself picking it up in spite of a flurry of activities, anxious to discover what came next.
As I read I thought, “This would be a great book for teens to read.” Even though it’s been almost fifty years since I fell into this age group, the feelings and thoughts of my youth came back in vivid memories as I read. Carolyn wrote how my brain tells me that I felt.
I liked the style of the writing. The main characters had flaws so they didn’t feel like cardboard caricatures. It had just the right amount of descriptive scenery to transport me to rural Pennsylvania, but not so much that I skipped those paragraphs. I thought the feelings between Paul and Rachel developed at a speed that felt real. Often times, one party feels differently and it takes time for the relationship to morph from friendship to deep feelings of affection. I liked the way Carolyn handled those thoughts and reactions, as well as how innocent situations can escalate out of control.
I also liked the way the author wove her beliefs into the story without it feeling preachy. It sent me a clear message about the struggles that some teens face and their wish to discover a way to handles their passions.
Coming of age stories fall into “one of my favorite” categories for novels, and this story lived up to my expectations.
I would recommend this book for teens, especially those in a dating relationship, and for those who wish to understand them. I plan to pass on Rightfully Ours to a local high school library so teenagers can enjoy this fast-moving, readable novel with plenty of action and a mystery that held my interest.
As I read I thought, “This would be a great book for teens to read.” Even though it’s been almost fifty years since I fell into this age group, the feelings and thoughts of my youth came back in vivid memories as I read. Carolyn wrote how my brain tells me that I felt.
I liked the style of the writing. The main characters had flaws so they didn’t feel like cardboard caricatures. It had just the right amount of descriptive scenery to transport me to rural Pennsylvania, but not so much that I skipped those paragraphs. I thought the feelings between Paul and Rachel developed at a speed that felt real. Often times, one party feels differently and it takes time for the relationship to morph from friendship to deep feelings of affection. I liked the way Carolyn handled those thoughts and reactions, as well as how innocent situations can escalate out of control.
I also liked the way the author wove her beliefs into the story without it feeling preachy. It sent me a clear message about the struggles that some teens face and their wish to discover a way to handles their passions.
Coming of age stories fall into “one of my favorite” categories for novels, and this story lived up to my expectations.
I would recommend this book for teens, especially those in a dating relationship, and for those who wish to understand them. I plan to pass on Rightfully Ours to a local high school library so teenagers can enjoy this fast-moving, readable novel with plenty of action and a mystery that held my interest.
May 24, 2017
Rightfully Ours is a tender tale of teen romance filled with suspense, adventure, and humor. It is a Christian romance in which two teens initially become close friends and confidantes. As they spend time together, they discover they are attracted to one another and soon realize their morals are challenged as they struggle with temptations against the virtue of chastity.
Amazingly, while digging, the couple finds a buried treasure – gold. Even more incredibly, over time, they discover the rare treasure of true love, which is more precious than gold.
I enjoyed this book and its characters, who seem very authentic to me. They are like all of us – slightly imperfect, yet striving to become better versions of themselves. They desire to live virtuous lives and eventually discover that they cannot stay chaste on their own, but must rely on the grace of God to give them the strength they need to do so.
Rightfully Ours is a fast-paced, exciting book that will hook you and keep you reading. It is not just for youth, but is a great read for adults, too. If you have a teen, read this book first before you give it to them. I recommend it for older or more mature teens, due to the intimate scenes described in the story. It is filled with non-preachy messages about the beauty of authentic love, which Pope St. John Paul II defined as the “theology of the body.” This does not mean that the book contains theological terminology, but it does mean that it deals with the issue of sexual temptation and assists teens in handling that. It also helps them understand the meaning of true love. I highly recommend Rightfully Ours for both teens and adults.
Amazingly, while digging, the couple finds a buried treasure – gold. Even more incredibly, over time, they discover the rare treasure of true love, which is more precious than gold.
I enjoyed this book and its characters, who seem very authentic to me. They are like all of us – slightly imperfect, yet striving to become better versions of themselves. They desire to live virtuous lives and eventually discover that they cannot stay chaste on their own, but must rely on the grace of God to give them the strength they need to do so.
Rightfully Ours is a fast-paced, exciting book that will hook you and keep you reading. It is not just for youth, but is a great read for adults, too. If you have a teen, read this book first before you give it to them. I recommend it for older or more mature teens, due to the intimate scenes described in the story. It is filled with non-preachy messages about the beauty of authentic love, which Pope St. John Paul II defined as the “theology of the body.” This does not mean that the book contains theological terminology, but it does mean that it deals with the issue of sexual temptation and assists teens in handling that. It also helps them understand the meaning of true love. I highly recommend Rightfully Ours for both teens and adults.
May 8, 2017
For me, this romance seemed true-to-life for teens who are taught by their parents to respect themselves and the opposite sex. I was a teen during a time when your first love very often was the one you married (or planned to marry), and you got to know the other person and his or her family well while dating. Having sex was not an accepted practice in teen dating, so I connected with both Rachel and Paul in their struggles.
I wish the mysterious lost treasure had entered the plot earlier and held a more significant role before the last quarter, but I was into the story for the mystery (and interested in how fracking would play into the plot). Teenagers would naturally be more engaged by the romance. :-) Either way, I recommend this novel for teens and for any parents dealing with teens who are in love.
I received a paperback ARC of this novel from the author, and this is my honest review.
I wish the mysterious lost treasure had entered the plot earlier and held a more significant role before the last quarter, but I was into the story for the mystery (and interested in how fracking would play into the plot). Teenagers would naturally be more engaged by the romance. :-) Either way, I recommend this novel for teens and for any parents dealing with teens who are in love.
I received a paperback ARC of this novel from the author, and this is my honest review.
June 4, 2019
The story really captured my imagination. In fact, I had come to really care about Paul and Rachel. This is the sign of a well-written tale. I identified with their struggles to maintain a healthy relationship. My children are young adults now, but I certainly would have encouraged them to read this story. In an honest manner, Astfalk portrays the battle to maintain a virtuous relationship. It takes perseverance, prayer, and wise counsel from caring adults. Astfalk is a skillful writer who manages to tell a compelling story with an important message, without preaching. I highly recommend this book for parents who are raising teenagers, but don’t get me wrong. Rightfully Ours does not beat you over the head trying to get across a theme. It is an entertaining story with believable characters and surprising plot twists.
November 15, 2019
Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk
This is a very poignant story of a young man that comes to live in the guest house of a family during his father’s military deployment. As the father was getting ready to return, he looses his life. The story is about Paul and the daughter of the family, Rachel and their growing love for each other.
The story unfolds as the youngsters grow through high school and find some unusual items while working on her garden. Let’s just leave that for you to read about.
The temptations and desires of a sexual nature are dealt with in a very forthcoming and Christian nature. There are frank discussions between Paul and his brother and with the family. This would be a great book for young adults in the mid to late teens, but is enjoyable for adults as well.
I was given this audiobook by the author, but without the stipulation of review.
This is a very poignant story of a young man that comes to live in the guest house of a family during his father’s military deployment. As the father was getting ready to return, he looses his life. The story is about Paul and the daughter of the family, Rachel and their growing love for each other.
The story unfolds as the youngsters grow through high school and find some unusual items while working on her garden. Let’s just leave that for you to read about.
The temptations and desires of a sexual nature are dealt with in a very forthcoming and Christian nature. There are frank discussions between Paul and his brother and with the family. This would be a great book for young adults in the mid to late teens, but is enjoyable for adults as well.
I was given this audiobook by the author, but without the stipulation of review.
July 19, 2018
Rightfully Ours
: Carolyn Astfalk
A YA novel that every adult as well as teen should read! A sweet clean romance that also shows the temptations that hormonal teens must endure. The story has happy moments, sad and tragic moments, mystery, and a roller coaster of emotions.Yes, Christian, Catholic, and teens from many religious beliefs can be tempted! This took me back a few decades but yes I remember!!! I will look for more from this author.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. James Bittancourt gave a good performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
: Carolyn Astfalk
A YA novel that every adult as well as teen should read! A sweet clean romance that also shows the temptations that hormonal teens must endure. The story has happy moments, sad and tragic moments, mystery, and a roller coaster of emotions.Yes, Christian, Catholic, and teens from many religious beliefs can be tempted! This took me back a few decades but yes I remember!!! I will look for more from this author.
The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. James Bittancourt gave a good performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 8, 2017
If Only Every Teen Would Read This
Wow. This enjoyable and entertaining story was not only a pleasure to read, it perfectly unveiled, in a totally non-preachy way, the most convincing arguments in favor of chastity. While I wouldn't give this to my 12-year-old to read (there is some pretty obvious hinting about how close to "the brink" this young couple's romance gets) I think it is a very important novel for 15-17 year old (use your own parental discretion, of course!) girls AND BOYS to read.
Wow. This enjoyable and entertaining story was not only a pleasure to read, it perfectly unveiled, in a totally non-preachy way, the most convincing arguments in favor of chastity. While I wouldn't give this to my 12-year-old to read (there is some pretty obvious hinting about how close to "the brink" this young couple's romance gets) I think it is a very important novel for 15-17 year old (use your own parental discretion, of course!) girls AND BOYS to read.
May 15, 2025
My first book by this author.
As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a big romance reader, but I really liked this one. With a lot of the YA romances that are in the market these days, this is different. No words can describe how impressed I was by this book. A lot to say, I don't know how to start. I initially picked this book up for the fact that it has brothers, but because this is obviously a romance novel, the brothers wasn't the main focus. Despite that, I still enjoyed it, though. It was a sweet story.
Full review @ My Blog
As I mentioned earlier, I'm not a big romance reader, but I really liked this one. With a lot of the YA romances that are in the market these days, this is different. No words can describe how impressed I was by this book. A lot to say, I don't know how to start. I initially picked this book up for the fact that it has brothers, but because this is obviously a romance novel, the brothers wasn't the main focus. Despite that, I still enjoyed it, though. It was a sweet story.
Full review @ My Blog
May 17, 2017
This romance for older teens gives imperfect but honest role models for kids who are struggling to stay the course on the path to keeping their minds and souls whole as they navigate the morass that is modern teen relationships. There are a number of plot threads woven in to the love between Rachel & Paul to keep the pages turning. I do suggest parents read ahead of time to determine whether or not this level of romance is right for your YA reader.
August 20, 2017
Love story about two young people
This was an unusual story about two young people who were very much in love, and deal with the desires of the heart in a Christian manner. It covered the sexual desires of young people and the manner in which they were committed to wait until after marriage to fulfill their desire. This would be a good story for young people who are in the process of becoming adults. The author covered this story in a very interesting ending.
This was an unusual story about two young people who were very much in love, and deal with the desires of the heart in a Christian manner. It covered the sexual desires of young people and the manner in which they were committed to wait until after marriage to fulfill their desire. This would be a good story for young people who are in the process of becoming adults. The author covered this story in a very interesting ending.
December 4, 2017
Can we just somehow make it mandatory for every teen in the world to read this book? I seriously beg every parent of a kid who's about age 15 or so and up, to give this book to him/her to read. Let them know that we (as parents) GET IT and we remember very well: sometimes it's hard to keep your pants on! We've all been there, and we can all tell you, it's worth the wait, and this is why (hand book to kid here.) Adults will love it, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2018
Carolyn Astfalk has written a book that draws you in immediately. It's a story of a teenage boy and teenage girl who start as strangers, become friends and eventually find love. The book has romance, intrigue, heartbreak and joy. It's a good read whether you are a teen now or were a teen decades ago.
July 6, 2017
Engaging Quick Read
Love her books. Just wish there were more. Good, honest love is a central theme here. Very hard to find in most books these days.
Love her books. Just wish there were more. Good, honest love is a central theme here. Very hard to find in most books these days.
April 6, 2024
3.5. Really great themes.
May 24, 2017
Rightfully Ours by Carolyn Astfalk 4 1/2 stars
I received an digital ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. I didn't think I would find a couple who I liked together as much as Landen and Torina from The Seer and the Sword, but I really like Paul and Rachel.
My favorite parts of this book were where the characters were going through external troubles and supported each other. The depiction of their relationship when they weren't having the external troubles was realistic (at least to my knowledge) in every way except for the fact that, once they were a couple, they didn't have one argument. They had a fight before they acknowledged their wish for more than just friendship, and they had moments of mild irritation with one another after they had kissed, but they didn't have any serious fights, which as much as I dislike seeing characters who I ship argue, I think that it could have been a way to show how they chose to love. In the book they were fighting with the temptation to show their love in physical ways before they were married, but because they never fought they also never had the opportunity to take a good look at their relationship and decide if it was worth the work it takes to remain in love. I got so nervous when they were going through temptations. I was nervous through a good portion of the book starting from the moment when they
My two favorite parts were the times right after Paul's dad died and when he saved Rachel's life. These two parts of the story showed Paul's vulnerability and his strong love for people, his dad, and Rachel. It seemed like Paul's personality was fleshed out a little bit more than Rachel's in the story. I can't remember if we had more time from Paul's point of view or if it just felt like that because he went through more trials than Rachel. Don't get me wrong, I still like Rachel a lot, but Paul was my favorite in this book. (hey, I just realized that Paul and Rachel have the same names as Paul and Rachel from The Midnight Dancers
I didn't like Sean at first. The first moment we're introduced to him he is blaming Paul for their missing a turn in the road and we really didn't get to know him after that until after he'd gotten married, and then I found that I really, really liked him. I just wished I hadn't gotten the wrong idea about his character before that. I was mildly confused as to why Paul wouldn't move in with Sean and Amanda after Sean moved out of the hotel since the whole reason why Paul had been living with the Muellers was so that Sean could be reimbursed for having to move to Pennsylvania to work, which the company would only do if Sean was living by himself in a hotel. I mean, I guess if the Muellers didn't mind Paul it was probably nice for Sean and Amanda to live by themselves, but Sean was Paul's legal guardian so it seemed odd.
Rachel's dad was pretty well characterized as the kind but strict, protective parent, but we didn't get to know her mother or brother, James, very well, and I sort of wish we could have gotten to know Paul's dad before he died. Though that probably wouldn't have fit into the book very well.
Parents and cautious teens should know that one of the main plot-points is that two teens in a serious relationship are making decisions about sex and marriage, and whether to save sex for marriage.
As a pop-musically challenged person I didn't know any of the songs that were mentioned in the books, and, although the lyrics did fit Paul's situation I didn't have the ability to hear in my head what they sounded like, and the Springsteen one was the only one with a performer listed with it so I could look it up. This didn't bother me terribly, but I found a couple of the lyrics to be moving and wanted to see if the music did them justice.
I don't usually like romance books. Christian romance books have a tendency to be too sickly sweet and overly simplified, and secular romance books are too stuffed full of sex. This book reached a very good balance, not being too sex-filled, but also being more candid than most Christian romances about the way relationships really work. I really enjoyed this book and it's characters. I think that it would be nice to visit Rachel and Paul again, maybe with them as side characters for another book. I found the ending to be a satisfying conclusion to a very good book.
I received an digital ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. I didn't think I would find a couple who I liked together as much as Landen and Torina from The Seer and the Sword, but I really like Paul and Rachel.
My favorite parts of this book were where the characters were going through external troubles and supported each other. The depiction of their relationship when they weren't having the external troubles was realistic (at least to my knowledge) in every way except for the fact that, once they were a couple, they didn't have one argument. They had a fight before they acknowledged their wish for more than just friendship, and they had moments of mild irritation with one another after they had kissed, but they didn't have any serious fights, which as much as I dislike seeing characters who I ship argue, I think that it could have been a way to show how they chose to love. In the book they were fighting with the temptation to show their love in physical ways before they were married, but because they never fought they also never had the opportunity to take a good look at their relationship and decide if it was worth the work it takes to remain in love. I got so nervous when they were going through temptations. I was nervous through a good portion of the book starting from the moment when they
My two favorite parts were the times right after Paul's dad died and when he saved Rachel's life. These two parts of the story showed Paul's vulnerability and his strong love for people, his dad, and Rachel. It seemed like Paul's personality was fleshed out a little bit more than Rachel's in the story. I can't remember if we had more time from Paul's point of view or if it just felt like that because he went through more trials than Rachel. Don't get me wrong, I still like Rachel a lot, but Paul was my favorite in this book. (hey, I just realized that Paul and Rachel have the same names as Paul and Rachel from The Midnight Dancers
I didn't like Sean at first. The first moment we're introduced to him he is blaming Paul for their missing a turn in the road and we really didn't get to know him after that until after he'd gotten married, and then I found that I really, really liked him. I just wished I hadn't gotten the wrong idea about his character before that. I was mildly confused as to why Paul wouldn't move in with Sean and Amanda after Sean moved out of the hotel since the whole reason why Paul had been living with the Muellers was so that Sean could be reimbursed for having to move to Pennsylvania to work, which the company would only do if Sean was living by himself in a hotel. I mean, I guess if the Muellers didn't mind Paul it was probably nice for Sean and Amanda to live by themselves, but Sean was Paul's legal guardian so it seemed odd.
Rachel's dad was pretty well characterized as the kind but strict, protective parent, but we didn't get to know her mother or brother, James, very well, and I sort of wish we could have gotten to know Paul's dad before he died. Though that probably wouldn't have fit into the book very well.
Parents and cautious teens should know that one of the main plot-points is that two teens in a serious relationship are making decisions about sex and marriage, and whether to save sex for marriage.
As a pop-musically challenged person I didn't know any of the songs that were mentioned in the books, and, although the lyrics did fit Paul's situation I didn't have the ability to hear in my head what they sounded like, and the Springsteen one was the only one with a performer listed with it so I could look it up. This didn't bother me terribly, but I found a couple of the lyrics to be moving and wanted to see if the music did them justice.
I don't usually like romance books. Christian romance books have a tendency to be too sickly sweet and overly simplified, and secular romance books are too stuffed full of sex. This book reached a very good balance, not being too sex-filled, but also being more candid than most Christian romances about the way relationships really work. I really enjoyed this book and it's characters. I think that it would be nice to visit Rachel and Paul again, maybe with them as side characters for another book. I found the ending to be a satisfying conclusion to a very good book.
December 15, 2024
Rightfully Ours is a delightful, insightful, and inspiring read for Catholic teens. As a teen, I really enjoyed the charming relationships and circumstances surrounding Rachel and Paul and their families and friends. Their romance is really endearing but also realistic. Over all, I think all of the characters in Rightfully Ours are good and likable but also realistically flawed and relatable. Part of this is also due to the captivating writing and interesting story lines.
As a teen, I found the story’s themes of chastity, patience, prudence, and justice very helpful and educational. I learned a lot about why Catholics believe sex should be reserved for marriage. Sex is a beautiful commitment between a man and a woman, marriage being necessary as a commitment. It is truly what is best for humans, not just an arbitrary rule. All in all, I truly enjoyed Rightfully Ours as a charming, engrossing, and educational read for any Catholic teen.
As a teen, I found the story’s themes of chastity, patience, prudence, and justice very helpful and educational. I learned a lot about why Catholics believe sex should be reserved for marriage. Sex is a beautiful commitment between a man and a woman, marriage being necessary as a commitment. It is truly what is best for humans, not just an arbitrary rule. All in all, I truly enjoyed Rightfully Ours as a charming, engrossing, and educational read for any Catholic teen.
June 29, 2017
Full review coming soon!
April 10, 2017
Do you have teenagers at home? This is the perfect book for them.
A coming-of-age story of first love, buried treasure, and discovering some things are worth the wait.
The teenage years can be difficult to navigate. There are so many changes taking place in their bodies, so many temptations from the world.
This would be an excellent book for a parent to read first, then have your teen read it. Great for the two of you to discuss afterward.
I taught junior high students at a Christian School here in Texas. I would have loved for there to have been more good books out there for them to read. Reading about how others their own age struggle with some of the same things they are struugling with would have been a blessing. It would let them know that they are not alone. This books shows that it is possible to remain pure until marriage. The journey won't be without it's pitfalls, but the reward is priceless.
This is Caroyln's third novel, but her first Young Adult novel. I think she did an excellent job of writing a book teens would love. The book is available in kindle version right now. The print version will be out the week after Easter, but is available for pre-order now.
A coming-of-age story of first love, buried treasure, and discovering some things are worth the wait.
The teenage years can be difficult to navigate. There are so many changes taking place in their bodies, so many temptations from the world.
This would be an excellent book for a parent to read first, then have your teen read it. Great for the two of you to discuss afterward.
I taught junior high students at a Christian School here in Texas. I would have loved for there to have been more good books out there for them to read. Reading about how others their own age struggle with some of the same things they are struugling with would have been a blessing. It would let them know that they are not alone. This books shows that it is possible to remain pure until marriage. The journey won't be without it's pitfalls, but the reward is priceless.
This is Caroyln's third novel, but her first Young Adult novel. I think she did an excellent job of writing a book teens would love. The book is available in kindle version right now. The print version will be out the week after Easter, but is available for pre-order now.
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